Area News
Prisma gains staffing help through collaboration with state agencies, S.C. National Guard
Jan. 13, 2021 Clinton, S.C. – Like other hospitals across the Upstate of South Carolina, Prisma Health Laurens County is feeling the squeeze caused by the high numbers of COVID-19 patients, and four South Carolina National Guard medics have already been assisting at the local hospital. “Prisma Health is experiencing the effects of extreme…
Read MoreOlder Joanna, Cross Hill fire trucks headed to Belize
The words, “Long live the brotherhood,” are written in script on one of the Joanna Volunteer Fire Department’s trucks, and it’s something Chief Robert Plaxico takes to heart. “I truly believe that,” Plaxico said, pointing to the words on the truck. “That’s what it’s about – just trying to help people.” So, it may be…
Read MorePatterson, Carroll tapped to lead county council
A newly constituted Laurens County Council met for the first time in 2021 Tuesday night and chose new leadership as the first order of business. Brown Patterson, who won a special election to replace Stewart Jones as councilman in District 4 in 2019, was elected as chairman. Patterson replaces former council chair David Pitts. Pitts…
Read MoreState says residents 70 and older may get vaccine by appointment
According to a South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) press release Monday afternoon, South Carolinians aged 70 and older can schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments beginning Jan. 13. The press release follows: Governor Henry McMaster and the (DHEC) announced that beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13, any South Carolina resident aged 70 or older, regardless…
Read MorePrisma Health restricts ‘broad visitation’ starting this weekend
Prisma Health released information Friday afternoon explaining that patient visitation will be restricted effective Saturday, Jan. 9, in the wake of a growing surge of COVID-19 infections across South Carolina. The restrictions are system-wide for Prisma Health facilities, including the Prisma Health Laurens County Campus. “We know that being with families is itself a healing therapy and…
Read More“Dire” COVID surge creates challenges for Prisma Health Laurens Hospital
In a Thursday evening, Jan. 7, called meeting of the Prisma Health Laurens County board, Regional Chief Operating Officer Justin Benfield explained plans to add beds to enable Laurens to serve as a “surge unit,” but he said that already “the situation with COVID is real. It’s dire.” The Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital has…
Read MoreCounty schools go virtual again, court closes due to COVID spike
Leaders from both Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56 have chosen to return to remote learning following the Christmas holidays due to a continuing surge locally in cases of COVID-19. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported Tuesday that Laurens County has recorded 671 positive cases over the past two…
Read MoreSeparate wrecks shut down highways
A Greenwood man was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 221 south of Laurens near Cold Point Monday afternoon that caused the closure of the main highway between Laurens and Greenwood for several hours. Another incident on I-26 at Highway 49 (Exit 44), caused I-26 to be shut down in both directions. In that…
Read MorePatterson, Senn join Ten at the Top Board
A pair of Laurens County leaders are set to join the Board of Directors of Ten at the Top. Laurens County Councilman Brown Patterson and City of Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn have been elected to the organization’s board, joining other locals including Amanda Munyan of the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, Jeff Field of Laurens…
Read MoreCounty leaders sworn into offices
After each election cycle, Laurens County Attorney Sandy Cruickshanks is tasked with the swearing in of newly elected and re-elected county officials. But Tuesday morning’s swearing-in ceremony, which featured four members of county council and Laurens County Coroner Vickie Cheek taking or re-taking their oaths of office, veered sharply from the norm. “This is the…
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