Area News
Waterloo man arrested, charged with child sex crimes
A Waterloo man is in custody at the Laurens County Detention Center and facing charges relating to possession and distributing child sexual abuse material. Thomas Nicholas Rytter, 27, was arrested Friday (Sept. 19) on four felony charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor and could face up to 40 years in prison if…
Read MoreMartha Franks Retirement Community honors employees’ 40 years of service
Laurens, South Carolina Martha Franks Retirement Community hosted an Employee Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 11, and part of that celebration was to honor four dedicated employees who have been faithfully serving for 40 years. The milestone celebration recognized the remarkable commitment, loyalty and service of these individuals whose dedication has shaped Martha Franks into…
Read MoreEastside students learn to imagine and interact in their own playground town
Clinton, South Carolina – Eastside Elementary School and District 56 personnel held a ribbon cutting ceremony last Wednesday morning, celebrating its new kindergarten playground, which – with just a little imagination – emulates their own small town. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from Indigo Hope, an Upstate-based private family foundation, members of the Eastside Elementary…
Read MoreMauldin woman killed in I-385 vehicle crash
A Mauldin woman was killed in a crash that occurred on I-385 in Laurens County Tuesday night. Laurens County Coroner Patti Canupp identified the victim as Rebecca A. Sexton, 59. Sexton was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway said the accident occurred around 8:45 p.m.…
Read MoreTo encourage civility, City of Laurens temporarily pauses social media
Laurens, South Carolina – The City of Laurens is taking a break from social media, and leaders are recommending the same for those who have tired of the negativity that comes along with almost any perusal of current social media apps. “In the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a recent…
Read MoreStumbo announces campaign for attorney general
Surrounded by family and supporters, including prosecutors and a half-dozen Upstate sheriffs, 8th Circuit Solicitor David Stumbo announced his candidacy for South Carolina Attorney General Tuesday afternoon at the Laurens County Museum. Stumbo has led the 8th Circuit since his initial election in 2012, building a tough-on-crime reputation he said he wants to continue as…
Read MoreFull recovery expected for CFD engineer after Monday fire
Clinton, South Carolina – An engineer with the Clinton Fire Department was sent to Augusta Burn Center Monday morning after receiving burns while assisting at a residential structure fire in Joanna. It was announced on Tuesday that Clinton Fire Department Engineer Reles Littleton was released from the Augusta Burn Center late Monday evening. Littleton was…
Read MoreEducational needs of the county’s youngest part of public dialogue
Laurens County, South Carolina – At an open meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 17, Laurens County First Steps will be seeking the input of educators, health care professionals, grandparents, workforce development personnel and others in the community to help determine the county’s priorities as it relates to the early childhood educational needs within the county. Anyone…
Read MoreGreenville man killed on Sumter National Forest trail
A Greenville man was killed Friday in a motorcycle accident on the Enoree OTV Trail in Sumter National Forest. The Laurens County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Mark C. Bellino, 51. According to Coroner Patti Canupp, emergency responders had to hike into the area where the accident occurred on a narrow, rugged trail. Bellino…
Read MoreMotorcyclist killed in crash on Highway 39
A second fatal crash involving a motorcycle in less than a week occurred occurred Thursday night on Highway 39 in Laurens County. The wreck happened near Beaverdam Church Road around 8:15 p.m., said S.C. Highway Patrol Cpl. Nick Pye. The victim was identified as Dakota Revels, 29, of Greenwood. Revels was a full-time firefighter with…
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