***ONLINE EXCLUSIVE *** Blue Flame head to Columbia in quest for 17th State Championship
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com PICKENS — For the first time since 2021, the Pickens High School volleyball team More »
Prisma to build hospital in Easley
By Jason Evans Staff Reporter jevans@thepccourier.com EASLEY — Prisma Health plans to build a new $138 million inpatient behavioral health More »
Blue Flame roll past rival Daniel to advance in Class 4A playoffs
By Bru Nimmons Sports Editor bnimmons@thepccourier.com CENTRAL — After dropping two five set battles to rival Daniel in the regular More »
Swearing in
Members of the Pickens County’s Legislative Delegation take the oath of office on the Pickens County Courthouse steps in Pickens More »
This week in FOOTBALL FRENZY only in PICKENES COUNTY COURIER
LIONS OVERCOME SLOW START AGAINST SENECA TO WIN SIXTH STRAIGHT REGION TITLE; EASLEY DROPS FINALE TO GREENVILLE; RED DEVILS FALL More »
Selugadu set for this weekend at mill
PICKENS — Every November, the Hagood Mill Historic Site observes Native American Heritage Month by holding the Native American Celebration. More »
Blood Connection offering free virus antibody testing
COUNTY — The Blood Connection is offering free COVID-19 antibody testing for donors.
The antibody test will test a sample of each donor’s blood to see if it contains COVID-19 antibodies. The service is offered to TBC blood donors at all blood donation centers and mobiles across South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, at no cost. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment
Restrictions take their toll
One day a couple of weeks ago, my wife Kathy started shivering for no apparent reason.
She’s one of those people whose internal thermostat goes haywire once in a while, so I wasn’t overly concerned. Until she told me right before she went to sleep that for an instant she had the thought that she might not wake up in the morning.
She wasn’t interested in rushing off to the emergency room, though, so there didn’t seem to be anything I could do but pray and hope it wasn’t anything serious.
The next morning, her right leg was swollen up and red and
Things have changed in the hen house
There have been major changes in the hen house since the rooster died. The hens have had to adjust 
to their new life without a dominant male figure, and it has been interesting to see the new pecking order.
Before the rooster gave up the ghost, he greeted each morning the same way. He’d greet the day from atop the hanging feeder.
He never missed a chance to greet the sun and alert us all to the news that morning had arrived. Again.
But now that he is gone, the hens have adjusted to their new world.
It took a while, but apparently there is now a new
Courier Letters to the Editor 5-20-20
Why vote for Alex Saitta?
Dear Editor,
Why vote for Alex Saitta? I have known Alex since he moved to Pickens. He has a genuine love and concern for the welfare of the people of Pickens County.
Alex fought to keep our small schools open and voted against their closing. Anyone who says any different is a liar.
He has the financial expertise required for this job. The other candidates do not.
Alex is a Christian and a kind, caring man with good moral character, which is very important as
Amid pandemic, nurses a constant
While it was more than 20 years ago, I remember that day like it was yesterday.
That was the day I received my license to be a registered nurse. I still remember the whirlwind of feelings I experienced as I first held my license in my hands. On that day, I felt relief and pride for having completed a long academic journey. But I also felt the
weight of the awesome responsibility to my patients and my profession that comes with being a registered nurse.
What’s why every year, as Nurses Week approaches, I try to remember how I felt that day and honor the commitment my colleagues and I have made to a profession that centers on helping others. Never has that commitment been more important than it is during this year’s Nursing Week, when nurses all
Hendricks seeks reelection to county council District 3 seat
PICKENS — Pickens County Council District 3 Representative Wes Hendricks is seeking another 
term of office after what he calls a successful first term.
Since his election, Pickens County has come a long way in many areas, he said. In 2016, Hendricks campaigned to support Tri-County Tech, improve economic development and join Upstate Alliance. All were accomplished without a tax increase, according to Hendricks. The new detention center was also built and financed without a tax increase, protecting the general fund and keeping the county from going bankrupt, Hendricks said.
Many know Hendricks as a Pickens High School special education teacher. Hendricks said he is the only District 3
SCICU honors Hayduk for teaching excellence
CENTRAL — Southern Wesleyan University professor Dr. Steven Hayduk was honored by South 
Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) as an Excellence in Teaching award recipient for 2020.
The award acknowledges superior teaching and an unrivaled dedication to students. Hayduk has been with Southern Wesleyan for 24 years and chaired the social sciences division from 2005-2012, and from 2019-2020. In his role as division
Alex Saitta files for Pickens County Council District 3 seat
PICKENS — Alex Saitta is a candidate for the District 3 Pickens County Council seat, representing 
the Pickens area.
Saitta says the county council wants to grow Pickens County at any cost, and in any way, shape or form. This will continue to harm our quality of life with more traffic, stressing our scenic beauty and wildlife, further raise home costs and increase litter, he said.
“I want to preserve our small-town feel, rural-ness and mountain heritage,” Saitta said. “My focus is on the people here and protecting their quality of life first.”
Although he says growth is not a four-letter word, Saitta thinks
Billboard salutes PHS Class of 2020
The members of the Pickens Azalea Festival committee may not have been able to host the annual Pickens Azalea Festival in April, but they have found a way to honor the Pickens High School Class of 2020 — with a billboard on S.C. Highway 8 near the Landmark Baptist Church sign. The sign went up on Monday. Pickens High School principal Corey Willimon agreed to allow the Azalea committee to purchase the billboard to honor all the hard work and dedication the students have shown during this unique time amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. The pandemic has forced the closure of schools across the nation. Students are finishing the school year through e-learning and missing out on so many traditional senior year activities.
Courier Obituaries 5-20-20
MARILYN SUE O’SHIELDS
SUNSET — Marilyn “Sue” O’Shields, 68, wife of Wayne Abner O’Shields, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at her home.
Sue O’Shields was the daughter of the late Ruth Ellen Coleman Morris and George Edward Morris. She was a member of East Pickens Baptist Church and was retired from Cornell Dubilier.
Survivors include her husband of 49 years, one daughter, Beth Marie White (Shawn) of Easley; one son, Marty Wayne O’Shields (Angel) of Pickens; and two sisters, Jennie Goff (Robert) of Pumpkintown and Ann Richards (Ed) of Greer. She also leaves six grandchildren, Dylan O’Shields,
