School employee tests positive for COVID-19

Steps taken for social distancing in elections office

• See full sample ballots in the B Section of this paper. 

A steady stream of voters came through the Pickens County Office of Elections & Registration Monday, May 18, the first day of early voting in the primary. In addition to national and state elections that appear on both party ballots, including the presidential preference primary, there are numerous local races on the Republican primary ballot. 

Early voting will run through June 5, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a Saturday voting day May 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All early voting will be held at the elections office. 

Election supervisor Julianne Roberts said to comply with social distancing guidelines they are allowing four voters in the 1,050 sq. ft. building at a time – two machines are one side of the main room and two are on the other. They are also giving voters styluses to use on the touch screens, and sanitizing both the styluses and voter cards after each use. 

By Cassie Rasco

Director of Development

We have an exciting announcement. The Boys and Girls Club will be open for Summer Camp at their main facility in Roper Park.

Due to COVID-19, we have limited membership space based on the Department of Health and CDC guidelines. 

We normally serve 200 kids during our summer program and this year we are only going to be able to serve a third of that. We are currently full and have a waiting list going. We are hopeful that once restrictions are lifted we will be able to bring in more kids and help more families here in Pickens County.  

Check out this week's edition for Q&A's with candidates for Pickens Sheriff, Donnie Craig (Incumbent) and Chris Tucker; and candidates for School Board Post 4, Sue Finley (Incumbent) and Christopher Pence; and School Board Post 1, Donna Enis (Incumbent), Tommy Gartrell, and Mathew O'Bryant. 

The annual Memorial’s Day Service has been cancelled this year over concerns about being able to adhere to social distancing restrictions. The Marine Corps Leage will have a few members visit the site at some point that day, Monday, May 25 to honor the fallen heroes.