Area News
Blues Fest returns May 4; Freedom Fest strikes with Bowling for Soup
After a one-year hiatus, the Piedmont Blues and Roots Festival will make its return to the Laurens Historic Square. The second festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 and will feature a couple of familiar faces and voices in Veronika Jackson and local musician Hunter Holmes. The festival is set to run from 2-8 p.m.…
Read MoreCarter wins seat on Gray Court council
Gray Court has a new town councilman following Tuesday’s special election. Brian Carter defeated Billy Pearson by five votes (25-20) to win the at-large seat. The results are unofficial until certified by the S.C. Elections Board. The two were running for the seat formerly occupied by Joy Neal Craine, who resigned after moving out of…
Read MoreCouple arrested in connection with Laurens murder
A six-day manhunt for a South Carolina couple wanted for the April 10 murder of a Laurens woman ended Tuesday with arrests in Michigan. Jerod Keykendall Harris, 42, and Adreanna Nichole Simmons, 33, have both been charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in the shooting death of Patricia Sue…
Read MoreJennings named South Carolina National Guard’s new Command Chief Warrant Officer
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard is pleased to announce their selection of the new State Command Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Martin D. Jennings, effective April 12, 2024. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Martin D. Jennings is a native of Clinton, South Carolina. He enlisted in the South Carolina…
Read MoreLPD investigating murder of Laurens woman
Laurens Police are investigating the alleged murder of a 46-year-old woman who was found dead Wednesday afternoon in her residence. The LPD identified the victim as Patricia Owens, who was discovered at her home on the 90 block of Camp Circle at Lurey Street. Soon after being called to the scene, police began investigating the…
Read MoreCross Hill Fire Department back to work after hiatus
The Cross Hill Fire Department is back online following a reorganization that began this past January with the election of a new board. Board President Lonnie Wilson told members of the Laurens County Council at their regular meeting Monday night that the department has exceeded its goals since going back into service on Feb. 27.…
Read MoreCounty council approves plan to secure $35 million in bonds
The Laurens County Council voted 6-0 at its regular meeting Monday to set up the nonprofit entity that will secure $35 million funding to complete two major capital projects. By approving third and final reading of an ordinance that will set up a board to pursue installment purchase revenue bonds (IPRB) that will fund the…
Read MoreLaurens woman killed in motorcycle crash
A 36-year-old Laurens woman died Monday from injuries she sustained during a motorcycle crash Sunday afternoon in Laurens. Amanda “Mandy” Power died of blunt-force trauma at a Greenville hospital, said Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Patti Canupp. Power was airlifted from the scene of the accident, which occurred just after 3 p.m. Sunday on South…
Read MoreArrest made in death in Clinton after standoff
Clinton Police and other law enforcement agencies, including the Laurens County SWAT unit, SLED and the S.C. Highway Patrol arrested a man Thursday afternoon after a standoff at an East Carolina Avenue residence. The man taken into custoday aroun 3:30 p.m. was wanted in connection with the death of another individual in Clinton. According to…
Read MoreProcessional brings fallen firefighter back home
Local residents and first responders from around the state lined the streets of Laurens as Clinton and Laurens County firefighter Michael “Mike Mike” Vinson was returned to Laurens Tuesday morning. A processional that included a long line of emergency vehicles carried Vinson’s body to Kennedy Mortuary from Greenville. While on duty with the Clinton Fire…
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