Area News

Gentlemen, start your mowers. That’s exactly what is set to take place Sunday, April 29 at the new Creekside Speedway on S.C. Highway 101 in Gray Court. The eighth-mile oval will host lawnmower racing each week, a first for Laurens County and possibly the state. “We want everyone to come out and participate,” said Creekside…

The man accused of killing of Laurens resident James Bolt in 2003 at the local Veterans of Foreign Wars building is expected to come to come to trial Monday. Arthur “A.J.” Bowers is charged with murder in the nearly 15-year-old case that shocked the local community because of its brutality. Prosecutors aim to prove that…

The Joanna community will host its annual spring festival Friday and Saturday, April 27-28. This year’s festival begins at 7 p.m. Friday with “Puttin’ on the Hits” at the Clubhouse Grounds at 302 Milton Road (corner of Milton Road and Ellis Street). Buddy Bridges will serve as emcee for the talent showcase. To participate in…

Tamara Ratliff is still finding her way around, but the newly appointed agent-in-charge of the Laurens County office of the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services said she is settling in nicely after a few weeks on the job. Ratliff, who has worked with the SCDPPPS for 20 years – all in Spartanburg…

The 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office is seeking officers for its Community Juvenile Arbitration Program, a program aimed at helping first-time juvenile offenders take responsibility for their actions and avoid the juvenile justice system. The system, first implemented in 1998 under then-Solicitor Townes Jones, has received over 5,000 referrals for first-time offenders in the four counties…

Clinton High School administrators and Clinton Public Safety leaders teamed up to bring a nightmare to life on the school’s campus Wednesday morning. Students played the roles of victims and rescuers in a mock car crash caused by drunk driving as the school prepares for this weekend’s prom. “I’m glad I got to do it,”…

A Laurens man is in jail facing multiple charges after a domestic-violence incident Monday in Hickory Tavern led to his arrest. Colton David Hurley, 20, was booked into the Johnson Detention Center Wednesday on charges stemming from the incident, including kidnapping, attempted murder, burglary, two counts of pointing a firearm, unlawful neglect of a child,…

Joanna man arrested for human trafficking Laurens County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a Joanna man Monday on sex-trafficking and other related charges. George Saquan William Cromer, 28, of Morgan Street in Joanna is charged with trafficking in persons/recruiting, kidnapping, criminal sexual conduct with a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a…

A Laurens man remains in the Greenville County Detention Center without bond after being charged with felony DUI resulting in death Saturday night. According to the S.C. Highway Patrol, Ronald Gene Cathey, 44, of Laurens was driving a 2013 Nissan on South Pleasantburg Road near Mauldin Road when he struck and killed a pedestrian attempting…