Area Breaking News
SCHSL realignment: Clinton headed to 2A, Raiders stay in 4A
In the South Carolina High School League’s plan for 2024-26 realignment, Clinton will move to Class 2A for the next two academic years while Laurens District High School will remain in a revamped Class 4A. Clinton has competed in Class 3A for at least the past two decades. Thornwell Charter School, which began varsity competition…
Read MoreSimple angel tree items help provide freedom from abuse
Laurens, South Carolina – While Christmas angel trees are typically for the purpose of providing gifts for children during the holidays, an angel tree located in the window of the Safe Home’s thrift store, Our Little Shop, includes gift requests for those who are escaping abuse. There are some cases when victims are able to…
Read MoreLocal woman among those charged in human trafficking
A Laurens County woman is among five people charged in an ongoing investigation by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for sex trafficking involving minors at a Columbia hotel. Arrests have been ongoing since this spring for incidents which took place earlier this year. According to a SLED release received Thursday evening, four additional arrests have…
Read MoreStarting Thursday, Dec. 14, Santa visits, local retailer events and cinema fill Christmas season
Laurens County, South Carolina – Thornwell Charter students charmed audiences this past weekend with their four showings of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Now beginning Thursday, Dec. 14, these last 12 days before Christmas are filled with Santa sightings and shopping opportunities across the county. Santa magic will be strong in Clinton this Thursday, as…
Read MoreMcGowan: ‘I’m coming home,’ will transfer to Gamecocks
Former Laurens and Vanderbit standout Jayden McGowan announced Wednesday via social media that he is transferring to South Carolina for the 2023 football season. “Sorry for the wait. I’m coming home,” McGowan posted on ‘X,’ formerly known as Twitter. McGowan entered the NCAA transfer portal Friday and quickly received offers from the Gamecocks, Indiana and…
Read MoreVolunteers shop for LCSO’s ‘Christmas for Kids’ program
A team of “Christmas for Kids” volunteers went on its annual shopping excursion Monday, buying gifts for over 200 children and youth at Wal-Mart in Laurens. “Christmas for Kids” is organized each year by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and provides Christmas presents for people in need across the county. LCSO Public Information Officer Courtney…
Read MoreCounty set to find financing for ongoing projects
The Laurens County Council took a step toward funding the completion of two of the county’s major construction projects at a special called meeting Tuesday morning at the county’s Hillcrest offices. While no votes were taken, council members are expected to vote at its regular meeting Monday to authorize a $3.385 million payment to keep…
Read MoreFormer Raider McGowan set to transfer, USC offers
Less than three days after announcing his intention to leave Vanderbilt via the NCAA’s transfer portal, former Laurens District High standout Jayden McGowan received offers from a pair of other Power 5 programs, including one very close to home. McGowan, a three-star recruit at LDHS two years ago, announced that he had entered the transfer…
Read MoreWare Shoals man killed in fire identified
A Ware Shoals man killed over the weekend in a structure fire on Ekom Beach Road in Laurens County was identified Monday morning by the Laurens County Coroner’s Office. Deputy Coroner BIll Williams identified the victim as John Bowyer, 52. The fire engulfed a cinder block building on the Ekom Beach Road property where Bowyer…
Read MoreShooting victim identified as 24-year-old pregnant woman
The Laurens County Coroner’s Office has identified the woman who died Saturday night of a gunshot wound at a residence on the 4000 block of Highway 14 near the Barksdale community. Deputy Coroner Bill Williams released the information Monday afternoon. Marlene “Grace” Ables, 24, died at the scene. She was six-to-seven months pregnant at the…
Read More