Area News
Martha Franks Retirement Community Welcomes Sprouse as New Executive Director
Laurens, South Carolina Martha Franks Retirement Community is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurens County native Robert Sprouse as its new Executive Director. Sprouse assumed his new role on August 1, 2024, and will oversee the community’s day-to-day operations, ensuring the continuation of the high-quality care and compassionate services that have been Martha Franks’…
Read MoreFountain Inn man faces attempted murder charges
A Fountain Inn man is being held in the Laurens County Detention Center without after being charged with six counts of attempted murder Sunday. Roderick Chance Brown was arrested following the incident, which began on Stewart Dairy Road and ended at a residence near Durbin Church Road in northern Laurens County around 11 p.m. According…
Read MoreLPD seeking help to ID robbery suspect
The Laurens Police Department is asking the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in an armed robbery early Thursday morning at the Marathon Gas Station at 1013 North Harper Street in Laurens. The robbery occurred at 3:09 a.m. The suspect is believed to be a 5-foot-9 white male, who was wearing what appeared to…
Read MoreStudents, staff become ill at Gray Court-Owings School
After-school activities were canceled Thursday after a mid-day illness swept through Gray Court-Owings School causing both students and staff to become ill. Laurens County School District 55 posted on social media that the sudden illnesses were probably caused by a stomach virus. Several cases had been reported at the school Wednesday. The illnesses were so…
Read MoreMorse remembered as mentor, lawman, ‘Chief’
Robin Morse, who served both Laurens and Clinton as police chief and spent more than four decades in law enforcement, was laid to rest Monday under cloudy skies with full police and firefighter honors as well as Masonic Rites. He died this past Thursday at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer.…
Read MoreLaurens man charged with murder in courthouse shooting
Laurens County’s Hillcrest Judicial Complex parking lot was littered with two wrecked cars, discarded medical equipment, papers and a brown shoe belonging to the victim of a shooting Monday afternoon. Erin Lee Thomas, 34, of Woodruff clung to life as he was airlifted by helicopter to an area hospital, but later died at Prisma Greenville…
Read MoreCourthouse shooting leaves one man dead, one arrested
One man is in custody following a shooting at Laurens County’s Hillcrest Judicial Complex and offices that left another man dead. The identity of the suspect has not been released by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, which headed up the investigation. The victim was identified as Erin Lee Thomas, 34, of Woodruff, said Laurens County…
Read MoreRabid Skunk Confirmed in Laurens County; One Person Exposed
COLUMBIA, South Carolina The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) confirmed that a skunk found near Fairview Road and Grandwood Boulevard in Fountain Inn, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. The skunk was submitted to DPH’s laboratory for testing on…
Read MoreFormer private school teacher arrested by LCSO
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a former Fountain Inn Christian School teacher accused of inappropriate relationships with some students at the school. Norman Jermaine Roberson of Piedmont is charged with eight counts of sexual battery with a student. The incidents allegedly occurred in Laurens County in 2015, while other encounters allegedly occurred in other…
Read MoreMorse, former Laurens, Clinton chief dies at 71
Robin Morse, who headed both the Laurens and Clinton police departments and spent 44 years in law enforcement passed away Thursday after a long battle with cancer. Morse, 71, worked as a patrol officer for the South Carolina Highway Patrol, and deputy for the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office before serving as Laurens Police chief and…
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