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Thornwell Charter hires Smith as head football coach

Thornwell Charter School has hired a familiar face as its second head football coach since beginning varsity competition last season. Former Laurens District High School head coach Daryl Smith was announced Thursday morning as the Saints’ head coach, replacing Charlie Washington. Thornwell parted ways with Washington two weeks ago after a 1-8 season in 2023.…

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Locals looking for legislative answers

The Lumberyard will celebrate it’s first anniversary in mid-April. The small pub, which serves craft beer and wine and hosts acoustic performers and trivia and open-mic nights, but the first 11 months has been fraught with unexpected challenges. South Carolina’s stringent laws regarding liability insurance is forcing the hands of business owners who are paying…

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PC run ends as Gamecocks roll to next round, 91-39

COLUMBIA – There was no Lincoln Street Stunner at Colonial Life Arena. Top-seeded South Carolina (33-0) delivered all that was expected Friday afternoon, beating Presbyterian 91-39 in the first-round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament and ending PC’s magical postseason run. Five Gamecocks, led by Chloe Kitts off the bench, scored in double figures.…

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Commentary: Blue Hose story will need more than fairytale magic

Sports Commentary – John Clayton Forget about Cinderella. She’s out of her depth now in Columbia. This is Buster Douglas business. This are Armani Edwards and Appalachian State stunning Michigan in the Big House vibes. This is Broadway Joe and the Jets beating the near-invincible Colts. This is Charismatic winning the Derby at 31-1 but…

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Underdog Blue Hose set for rematch with Gamecocks

COLUMBIA – When South Carolina and Presbyterian face off at 2 p.m. Friday in Columbia, the Gamecocks will be without one of their best players. Even so, the Blue Hose are decided 53.5-point underdogs. All-American Kamilla Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 center from Brazil by way of Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Hamilton Heights Christian Academy, will not be in…

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Let’s Dance: PC downs Sacred Heart, to face Gamecocks

Editor’s Note: Advertiser Editor John Clayton will be back in Columbia Thursday and Friday for complete coverage of PC’s NCAA Tournament game against No. 1 South Carolina. Read it all here. COLUMBIA – Presbyterian’s post-season glass slipper still fits. The PC women’s basketball team outlasted Sacred Heart 49-42 in the First Four of the NCAA…

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Thornwell parts ways with Washington, opens football coach search

Thornwell Charter School, which is in its first year of varsity competition in team sports, is searching for a new head football coach after one season. Charlie Washington coached the Saints as they returned to varsity football for the first time in 18 years, but lasted only one season. Thornwell went 1-8 in Washington’s lone…

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Districts 55 and 56 to dismiss early for solar eclipse

Both Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56 will dismiss students early on Monday, April 8, the date of a solar eclipse that can be viewed in the county. The eclipse should be able to be viewed in Laurens County around 3 p.m., which is about the same time buses are to be carrying students…

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Laurens woman killed in car crash

A Laurens woman was killed late Saturday night in a single-car crash on Highway 39 in Mountville. Starkezian “Keke” Farrow, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, said Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Patti Canupp. The accident occurred just before 11:30 p.m. She is survived by her son, Javaye Suber and her…

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24-year vet Copeland promoted to LPD chief

The City of Laurens promoted from within its own ranks, announcing Tuesday that veteran Laurens Police officer Heath Copeland has been hired as the city’s new police chief. Copeland, a 24-year veteran of the LPD, takes over for former chief Keith Grounsell, who resigned from the post two weeks ago. Copeland was appointed acting chief…

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