Area News
Greenwood man to serve 37 years for murder
A Greenwood man who shot and killed his estranged wife in Clinton last year pleaded guilty to the crime in court Monday. Clinton Anthony Smith, 42, will serve 37 years in prison for the murder of his estranged wife, Kimberly Smith, 40. The sentence was handed down by 8th Circuit Judge Letitia Verdin. Under state…
Read MoreGray Court man dies after traffic accident
A Gray Court man died Monday night from injuries he suffered in a single-vehicle accident on Fort Lindley Road in Laurens. Alan Dale Johnson, 34, was driving a 2006 Chevy pickup on Fort Lindley Road about three miles west of Laurens when he ran off the road and struck a tree at about 6:20 p.m.…
Read MoreTraffic enforcement increased in county this week
Local motorists may notice a increase presence of law enforcement on highways in Laurens County over the next couple of days. South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Justin Sutherland said the traffic enforcement initiative today and Thursday will include the SCHP, Laurens Police Department, Clinton Police Department and the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. “We want…
Read MoreLaurens man arrested in fentanyl death
A Laurens man was arrested Monday by deputies from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office in connection with a drug-related death in May. Quinton Lashawn Watts, 27, was charged with involuntary manslaughter relating to the death, which was caused by fentanyl poisoning. According to a release form the LCSO Tuesday, investigators made undercover drug purchases from…
Read MoreLaurens council hires Cofield as first female chief of Laurens Police Department
After less than a week as acting chief of police, Chrissie Cofield was named as the chief of the Laurens Police Department. The hire was announced Tuesday after a very short executive session at Laurens City Council’s regular meeting. “Chrissie Cofield is your new chief,” said Mayor John Stankus, and several visitors in the audience…
Read MoreLaurens fugitive arrested in Mississippi
A Laurens man wanted for attempted murder, kidnapping and abuse of a vulnerable adult is in jail in Hernando, Mississippi awaiting extradition back to Laurens County. Joseph Dwain Bryan was arrested by DeSoto County sheriff’s deputies Friday after a routine traffic stop, according to the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Bryan was taken into custody and is being…
Read More4 arrested on drug, theft charges by LPD
Four arrests were made by the Laurens Police Department early Monday after an investigation yielded a cache of drugs and stolen property on North Harper Street in Laurens. James Chorly, Jr., 29, of Gaston, Neo Desmond Haywood, 32, of Swansea, Paris D’Shawn Sutton, 20, of Gaston, and Dakarie Quinzell Jefferson, 24, of St. Matthews were…
Read MoreSchool Districts 55 and 56, LA closed Thursday
Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56 will be closed Thursday due to severe weather expected from Hurricane Michael. Laurens Academy announced that it will be closed Thursday as well. The county is currently under a tropical storm warning. The national weather service has placed Laurens County in a Tropical Storm Warning zone, which means…
Read MoreLCSO seeking suspect in abuse case
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a Laurens County man wanted on charges of kidnaping, attempted murder and abuse of a vulnerable adult. Joseph Dwain Bryan had yet to be located as of Monday after arrest warrants were obtained by the LCSO. Bryan could be in the company of three females – Mary Haggy,…
Read MoreWalking Dead Woods haunted trail open this weekend
The Walking Dead Woods haunted trail will be open this upcoming weekend on Friday and Saturday nights at Ceramtec Park in Laurens. Walking Dead Woods, which is a fundraiser for the Laurens Police Department’s Christmas in the City program, will open Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27, at dusk and remain open until around 10…
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