Area News

A website that ranks locations in different categories has put Laurens near the top of a list of most affordable places to live in South Carolina. Laurens came in at No. 5 on the list, which also included neighboring Newberry (No. 6) and Fountain Inn, which is partially located in Laurens County, at No. 2.…

A trailblazing Presbyterian College graduate was posthumously inducted into the 82nd Airborne Division Hall of Fame, joining 15 other members of the elite division’s Class of 2019. Capt. Kimberly Hampton, a native of Easley, was the U.S. Army’s first female combat pilot to be killed in action when she died from hostile fire on Jan.…

It took a jury less than an hour to convict a Laurens man of manufacturing methamphetamines Tuesday during 8th Circuit General Sessions Court at the Laurens County Hillcrest Judicial Complex. Ronald Jeffrey Eaton, 52, was found guilty of manufacturing methamphetamines (third offense) and possession of methamphetamines following a two-day trial. Circuit Judge Alison Renee Lee…

A Laurens County woman accused of having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty Monday in 8th Circuit General Sessions Court. Chasity Creasy Sherfield, 26, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault and battery and was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Allison Renee Lee. Under the plea…

If attendance holds up for this weekend’s Catfish Festival, event Chairman Rick Holland expects the population of Ware Shoals to increase more than 10-fold over the course of the weekend. “We average roughly 20,000-25,000 people, and Ware Shoals has a population of roughly 2,000, so it can be kind of overwhelming,” Holland said. The 39th…

A puppy in the care of the Laurens County Humane Society recently got both a new home and a new mission as an emotional support and service dog for a U.S. Army veteran. “Sage,” a black Labrador-German Shepherd mix, was adopted by retired U.S. Army solder Charles Degone of Augusta from the local humane society. According…

All three heads of Laurens County law enforcement agencies say they – like the rest of South Carolina – continue to operate shorthanded. But all implied that a state of need has become business as usual. “It’s just part of the business right now,” said Laurens Police Chief Chrissie Cofield, echoing a statement made moments…

Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Farrah Cook cradled the plaque identifying her as the county’s Officer of the Year and was asked how it all felt. She carefully measured her response for a beat. “It’s one of my greatest accomplishments,” she said. Another beat. “It’s a blessing to help people,” she said. Another beat. “I’m…