Area News

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster will be asked to replace Laurens County Coroner F.G. “Nick” Nichols, who died unexpectedly Monday afternoon. McMaster will appoint Nichols’ successor. Nichols had just under a year remaining on his latest four-year term. He was initially elected as coroner in 2000 and served four complete terms. Laurens County Administrator Jon…

F.G. “Nick” Nichols arrived at work Monday like most any other day. The long-time Laurens County Coroner was greeted by Chief Deputy Coroner and friend Vickie Cheek, who held the door open for him. “He smiled with that big cigar hanging out the side of his mouth and said, ‘Did you think I couldn’t open…

A Fountain Inn man who shot and killed his girlfriend last year pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Monday in 8th Circuit General Sessions Court just before his trial was set to begin at the Hillcrest Judicial Complex. Anthony Cruz Garcia, 35, was sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison by 8th Circuit Judge Donald…

Three women were killed this past holiday weekend in two separate single-vehicle accidents in Laurens County. A fiery crash in northern Laurens County left two Fountain Inn women dead in the early morning hours on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The single-car crash occurred around 1 a.m. on Nov. 29 and left a stream of fire…

Laurens County Coroner F. G. “Nick” Nichols died Monday afternoon, county officials confirmed. Nichols was in his 37th year as Laurens County coroner. He was elected to what proved to be his final term in 2016, fending off a challenge from William Weir by about 1,700 votes. Nichols had suffered several medical setbacks over the…

The search for a new superintendent for Laurens County District 55 is to begin in earnest after the New Year. Laurens County District 55 Board of Trustees Chairman Robby Bell said the board will conduct a work session in early January to map out a plan for replacing Dr. Stephen Peters. Peters resigned Monday night…

Laurens County Animal Control took in 40 dogs over a three-day period this past weekend, beginning with two animal seizures in Cross Hill. According to Laurens County Animal Control Manager Geoff Brown, seven dogs were seized at one residence with four of those being malnourished. At another residence, one dog and 16 cats were living…

A Fountain Inn man died in a I-385 crash early Saturday morning near Exit 30. According to reports, David Johnson, 71 was killed in the single-vehicle wreck and pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The wreck occurred just before 4:30 a.m. Saturday.   Arrest made in Enoree hit and run An Enoree man…

Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) held a short question-and-answer session Tuesday at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce, addressing some of the problems facing local farmers, immigration and the high price of health care. Scott’s staff arranged the visit through the Chamber and the Laurens County Development Corporation and spoke to a small crowd of around…

Laurens County District 55 Superintendent Dr. Stephen Peters announced his resignation Monday night at the District 55 Board of Trustees meeting after almost four years on the job. Peters, who was hired to lead District 55 in 2016, will stay on the job until the end of the academic year. After that, he will join…