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The Pickens County Chronicle has reached more than 11,000 readers

Thank you for supporting local journalism that has supported our communities in Pickens County since 1999

The Pickens County Chronicle is a locally owned and operated newspaper in Pickens County, South Carolina publishing local news, feature stories, history, tourism, outdoor recreation, and more

Read more than 800 stories free inside

Advertise and support Pickens County journalism

The Pickens County Chronicle has reached more than 11,000 readers

Thank you for supporting local journalism that has supported our communities in Pickens County since 1999
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The Pickens County Chronicle - Local News - January, 2025

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative lineman Clay Jones is one of 10 linemen at Governor Henry McMaster's State of the State address, representing rural electric cooperatives in South Carolina

Pickens County Veterans Affairs Office announces that t-shirts are on sale for The Wall That Heals, which is coming to Liberty in May

Eastern Cherokee Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina to hold powwow at Hagood Mill Historic Site on Saturday, May 3

SDPC School Board Randy Robinson1
SDPC School Board Shannon Haskett1
SDPC School Board-Karla Kelley
SDPC School Board Brad Dover
SDPC School Board Betty Garrison
SDPC School Board Betty Bagley
SDPC School Board Amy Williams

School District of Pickens County honors Board of Trustees during School Board Appreciation Month

School District of Pickens County photo
School District of Pickens County photo

Students are recognized during January School Board meeting

Clemson University community mourns passing of Timothy Boosinger: his expertise and dedication to veterinary education played instrumental role in developing Harvey S. Peeler, Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine

Endowment is established in honor of Clemson Provost Bob Jones to support lifelong learning through Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Clemson University

Pickens County Museum of Art & History to host opening reception for "Play of Light" on Saturday, February 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Wayne Phillips is named manager of Clemson Experimental Forest

South Carolina State Representative Davey Hiott announces retirement at end of current term, endorses Clay Counts

The Wall That Heals is coming to Deer Wood Farms in Liberty in May, Pickens County Veterans Affairs Office announces In Memory program to honor Vietnam veterans who have passed away

Call My Name 5K run-1
Call My Name 5K run-2, Thomas

"Call My Name" 5K run returns March 9 to support stories of African Americans in Clemson University history

Widespread flu activity reported in South Carolina

MARY'S House is in need of two water heaters to replace those damaged by below freezing temperatures

Meal train, donations to assist Helping Hands of Clemson after frozen and burst sprinkler system causes flooding

Jamie and her husband, Matt, a fellow Clemson grad, in Tigertown
Jamie Shultz

Making her own history: Clemson history alumna patents medical device

As announced by The Pickens County Chronicle in December, The Wall That Heals is coming to Deer Wood Farms in Liberty in May, volunteers are needed

Deep Winter Blues Festival returns to Hagood Mill Historic Site on February 15

School District unveils Envision Pickens: A bold step toward career innovation and community growth

Wednesday, January 22 will be eLearning Day in the School District of Pickens County due to hazardous road conditions

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, on January 20, honors the life and legacy of a man who advanced civil rights through peaceful, non-violent protest

Hot Pursuit 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Catch a Cop wheelchair swing fundraiser to be held Saturday, April 12, YLA partners with local law enforcement

(Photo from Pickens County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo from Pickens County Sheriff's Office)

Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina organization honors Youth Leadership Academy, Pickens County Sheriff's Office, and Pickens Police Department with Outstanding Community Service Award for raising more than $50,000 for wheelchair-accessible swings

Kathryn Hicks, of Six Mile, gives farewell speech as Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2024

Chastity Lynn Miles-Anderson is crowned Ms. Wheelchair South Carolina 2025 on January 18

Pickens First Baptist Church to host Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda, Africa on Friday, January 24

Local historian and writer Dennis Chastain speaks and gives slideshow presentation on The Cherokees of the Carolinas at January 16 event held at the Pickens County Museum and hosted by the Pickens County 250 Committee

Grace in the Wilderness' Valentine Tea Party for Widows to be held at East Pickens Baptist Church February 22; event is free, but registration is required

Hagood Mill launches rock art project and unveils rediscovered "Sheriff Rock"; special event to take place on Saturday, January 18 at 11 a.m.

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative announces power cost adjustment to help reduce home energy bills, launch of $100 smart thermostat rebate program

SPEEDWAY
Tom Blackwell circa late 1990's at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway
Richard Petty exiting the Greenville-Pickens pits, screenshot from the first live TV race, April 10, 1971
Richard Petty making a pit stop, screenshot from the first live TV race, April 10, 1971
Tom Blackwell with Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. during one of their many autograph signings at the fair/track circa 1999-2000
Speedway-A-Tom Blackwell, Dale Earnhardt, Pete Blackwell
Screenshot of David Pearson from the April 10, 1971 live TV race (Photo courtesy of Mark Blackwell to The Pickens County Chronicle)
Pete and Tom Blackwell at the Upper South Carolina State Fair in the 1990's
A still from the start of the first race ever broadcast live from start to finish on television, April 10, 1971, ABC's Wide World of Sports

Construction plans that would destroy Greenville-Pickens Speedway are paused by Pickens County Planning Commission; former track owner's son, Mark Blackwell, speaks with The Pickens County Chronicle about the importance of preserving the racetrack, for its historical significance as well as the positive impact that keeping the track could have for the local economy

Clemson 8 Challenge, honoring the late Ben Skardon and his fellow Clemson POWs, is scheduled for Saturday, March 8

Clemson University to host second annual Clemson Music Fest April 11-12

Empowered Jesus Girl Teen Conference to come to East Pickens Baptist Church on Friday, February 7; register for free event by January 26

Winter Bluegrass Jubilee, annual fundraiser for YAM program, to be held Saturday, January 18 at Pickens High School

Clemson Sertoma Club presents $2,000 to Helping Hands of Clemson

Dennis Chastain to speak Thursday, January 16 on The Cherokees of the Carolinas during Pickens County 250 Committee event at the Pickens County Museum of Art & History

School District of Pickens County to open on a two-hour delay Monday, January 13 due to continued danger of ice on shaded areas and on secondary roads

Wes Cooler-1
Camp McCall January 2025
Abigail Lefler, a senior studying industrial engineering from Denver, NC, and her dog, Kudzoo, play in the snow on Bowman Field during the first snow storm on campus in three years, January 10, 2025. (Photo by Ken Scar, Clemson University)
A snow storm blankets the Clemson University campus for the first time in three years, January 10, 2025. (Photo by Ken Scar, Clemson University)

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow": Pickens County is blanketed with snow, first snow in three years

Liberty High School Head Football Coach Paul Sutherland to lead 2025 South Carolina Shrine Bowl team

Friday, January 10 will be e-Learning Day in the School District of Pickens County due to inclement weather, and all activities for Saturday, January 11 are cancelled

Click here for Pickens County winter weather preparedness and updates, and check back as this page is updated

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is monitoring winter weather, urges members to prepare now

Denise McCormick, Senior Vice President of Marketing, pictured with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood at a celebratory breakfast in Westminster in December (Photo courtesy of Blue RIdge Electric Cooperative)
Dianne Lyles, Customer Service Representative, pictured with Blue RIdge Electric President and CEO Jim Lovinggood at a celebratory breakfast in Westminister in December (Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative)
Mike Keasler, Customer Service Representative, pictured with past Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Charles Dalton (left) in Pickens (Photo courtesy of Blue RIdge Electric Cooperative)

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative announces retirement of three employees with a combined service of 118 years: Denise McCormick, Dianne Lyles, and Mike Keasler

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood: A storm to remember

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: Hurricane Helene causes historic devastation