Area News
Withdrawn names on ballot, precinct changes for Saturday primary
In advance of Saturday’s 2020 Preferred Presidential Primary for the Democratic candidates, representatives from the national campaigns visited with Laurens County residents last week, and this week those still in the running have been in Charleston, with more heading to Greenville ahead of Saturday. In the meantime, the Board of Voter Registration and Elections for…
Read MoreLPD seeking suspects in museum break-in
Laurens Police officers responded to the scene of the break-in a little after 8 p.m. Saturday, cordoning off the area in front of the museum. In addition to a missing donation container that contained an unknown amount of cash, investigators found blood at the scene as the suspect or suspects apparently cut themselves on the…
Read MoreDecades old cold case has Laurens County ties
A 38-year-old Ohio cold case may have connections to Laurens County and police in Twinsburg, Ohio are seeking help in solving the “John Doe” mystery. According to a release from the Twinsburg Police Department shared by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, the body of an African-American male was found on Feb. 18, 1982, and his…
Read MoreSheriff candidates throw hats in ring
Two hopefuls announced their candidacies for Laurens County Sheriff this week, becoming the first formal announcements in what is expected to be a busy election season. Former Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jarvis Reeder and veteran law enforcement officer Ted Richardson made their candidacies official with announcements Monday and Tuesday. Incumbent Laurens County Sheriff…
Read MoreZoning issue on garage to proceed for ‘fairness to everyone’
Updated, 7:45 a.m. Feb. Laurens, S.C. – Concerning a controversial zoning issue decision, Laurens City Council opted Tuesday night to go with an “objective opinion” and voted unanimously to allow a circuit court judge to rule on a downtown Laurens business’ plan to build a garage yards from the Historic Square. “The vote was unanimous,…
Read MoreGuilty plea pre-empts Belcher murder retrial
A Laurens County murder case that found its way to the South Carolina Supreme Court on appeal and set a new precedent for prosecutors came to an end Monday in General Sessions Court at the county’s Hillcrest Judicial Complex. Johnny Rufus Belcher, of Gray Court pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in the 2004 death of…
Read MoreMurder suspect arrested in Spartanburg Co.
A Laurens man wanted by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a Jan. 23 two weeks ago was arrested by Spartanburg County Sheriff’s deputies Tuesday afternoon. Hakeem Qudell Evans, 30, of Laurens was taken into custody after reportedly being spotted by Mauldin Police when they attempted to initiate a traffic stop in Mauldin.…
Read MoreDistrict 55 trustee resigns, special election to be set
Laurens County District 55 will be financing a special election after the Board of Trustees accepted the resignation of Mark Earle, the trustee representing Seat 4. Before going into executive session at Monday night’s called meeting of District 55 Board of Trustees, trustees unanimously accepted the resignation of Seat 4 Trustee Mark Earle of Gray…
Read MoreLaurens Historic Preservation Commission hosts Tuesday forum
Laurens, S.C. – On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the City of Laurens Historic Preservation Commission will host a forum on the proposed addition of the West Main and South Harper historic districts to the city’s historic preservation ordinance. The forum will begin at 5:30 pm at the Laurens County Library. Currently, only the historic Square is…
Read MoreSingle-vehicle crash kills Fountain Inn man
A Fountain Inn man died Thursday night in a single-vehicle accident near his home on Highway 418. Laurens County Deputy Coroner Robin Morse identified the victim as Matthew James Holcombe, 21, of Fountain Inn. According to South Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Joe Hovis, the victim was driving a 2013 Toyota pickup east on Highway 418…
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