Area Breaking News
District 55 board accepts Thomas’ immediate resignation
* Check back for additional updates, and see story in the Wednesday, Jan. 10 issue of The Laurens County Advertiser. Laurens, South Carolina – Students in Laurens County School District 55 returned to school from winter break Thursday, and by that evening the district was without its superintendent. At a called special meeting, District 55…
Read MoreNightclub shooting leads to arrest, suspect sought
Laurens Police are still investigating a shooting this past Friday night at a local nightclub. According to reports, gunfire broke out outside the Topic Lounge in Laurens just before 11 p.m. Bullets damaged the building and a nearby vehicle, but no one was injured. Investigators discovered more than a dozen shell casings, the reports said.…
Read MoreLPD makes arrest in South Harper shooting
The Laurens Police Department arrested one suspect following a shooting Wednesday afternoon at a South Harper Street convenience store. Marqevius Janell Brown, 33, of Laurens was charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and breach of peace of a high…
Read MoreLCSO makes arrest after high-speed chase
A Laurens man is in jail after leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle through parts of Laurens County early Thursday morning. Russell Lee Ivester Jr. was charged with grand larceny with enhancement, driving under suspension – 2nd offense, and failure to stop for blue lights – 2nd or subsequent offense. According…
Read MorePrisma Health, Laurens County Hospital temporarily restricts children and teens from hospital visits
Laurens County, South Carolina – A significant uptick in influenza cases over the past few weeks has prompted Prisma Health to restrict visitors at all the Prisma hospitals by all children 16 and under, and that includes Laurens County Hospital. The restrictions went into place at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and Prisma Health’s infectious…
Read MoreRecycling best option for holiday paper, boxes
Laurens County, South Carolina – With the holiday season comes an extraordinary amount of waste, and Laurens County Solid Waste Manager Chris Gurga is encouraging citizens to break down their packing boxes for recycling, especially since the online shopping trends have resulted in even more shipping materials than in previous years. “The trash during the…
Read MoreMurder charges filed in death of pregnant woman
A man accused of shooting and killing his pregnant fiancé in late November has now been charged with murder. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office upgraded charges against Camrin Jay Smith, who now faces two counts of murder. Smith was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of Marlene “Grace” Ables, 24, and her unborn…
Read MoreMcGowan flips commitment from Gamecocks to BC
Jayden McGowan has traded Five Points for Chestnut Hill. Nine days after announcing that he had committed to South Carolina, the former Laurens District High School standout and Vanderbilt transfer said Friday via social media that he is headed instead to Boston College. McGowan has given no reason for his change of heart, but in…
Read MoreLaurens Lights Riverwalk through holidays
With twinkling scenes of ice skaters, Christmas trees in many colors, a Nativity scene and even jumping fish, Laurens Lights has been a staple of the city’s holiday decor since the Laurens Commission of Public Works began putting up the displays about 20 years ago. With Christmas coming Monday, there’s still time to enjoy a…
Read MoreRed Devils’ Johnson officially signs with Bearcats
By 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Zay Johnson had officially become a newly minted Clinton High graduate and a Cincinnati Bearcat. The standout defensive back took part in School District 56’s inaugural December graduation ceremony and then immediately signed his National Letter of Intent to play football at Cincinnati as family, faculty, coaches and friends looked on.…
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