Area News
Community rallies as LPD seeks suspects in goats’ slaying
The Laurens community and a broader community of small farmers and business owners is uniting behind Mady Hastings after someone killed three Pygmy goats at her Hastings Corner Farm and Garden in Laurens. According to police, the attack on the small goats, which were family pets, occurred overnight Tuesday or early Wednesday morning. The goats…
Read MoreArrest made, LPD seeking suspect in nightclub shooting
One man is in custody and another is wanted by Laurens Police in connection with a shooting at Topic Lounge Tuesday night in Laurens. According to the Laurens Police Department, an altercation at the nightclub escalated, resulting in gunfire outside of what the LPD termed a “crowded venue.” Kion Osha Ligon of Laurens was arrested…
Read MoreVeterans honored during cities’ programs, video
Laurens County, South Carolina – When Laurens resident Willie Rice was drafted to fight in Vietnam on Oct. 30, 1966, his cousin John Rice made a final decision. “I told him if he was going, then I was going too,” John Rice said. “Then later when I landed at Cam Ranh Bay, it was 110…
Read MoreOyster Roast funds chamber as shells help the state’s coast, marsh
Laurens County, South Carolina – The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce welcomed a record number of guests to its 15th Annual Oyster Roast last Thursday evening, raising needed funds for its work in business support and development across the county. It’s become the chamber’s largest fundraiser and this year’s record crowd of more than 750…
Read MoreRemains found in October identified as missing Joanna man
The Laurens County Coroner’s Office announced Tuesday morning that remains found in a wooded area in Joanna on Oct. 1 have been identified. According to Deputy Coroner Patti Canupp, the remains are those of Gregory McSwain Morgan of Joanna. McSwain went missing on late July of 2017. McSwain would have been 45 years old now.…
Read MoreSanders aid arrested, charged with attempted sexual misconduct
A teacher’s aid at Sanders Middle School has been arrested by the Laurens Police Department and charged with attempted criminal sexual conduct and other crimes involving minors at the school. Elante Burnette Cooke, 24, of Laurens was booked Wednesday into the Laurens County Detention Center pending a bond hearing. Cooke is charged with two counts…
Read More2 charged by LPD in daycare child abuse case
A woman working at the Laurens YMCA Child Development Center at the First Baptist Church of Laurens has been arrested for unlawful conduct toward a child, while the facility’s assistant director also faces charges for failing to report the incident. According to the Laurens Police Department, Chandra Coleman, 66, of Clinton was witnessed pinching the…
Read MoreDriver killed in single-vehicle crash near Joanna
A driver was killed Wednesday night in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 66 near Joanna. The victim was identified Thursday by the Laurens County Coroner’s Office as Kristopher Adam Evans, 38, of Clinton. According to South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper Brandon Bolt, a 2005 Nissan pickup was headed westbound around 7:30 p.m., crossed the…
Read MoreLaurens native Initiated into the Missouri Military Academy Corps of Cadets
MEXICO, MO (November 6, 2023) – Mu Ye, child of Eric Hu, was inducted into the 135th Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony. The Passing Through Ceremony is an MMA tradition that officially welcomes new cadets into the corps after they have completed the Maroon Phase training, passed…
Read MoreSCHP reacts to spike in Laurens Co. traffic deaths
When an aspiring young photographer and recent Laurens District High School died in a single-car crash in Gray Court around 2:30 Sunday morning, she became the latest in a spate of vehicle fatalities in Laurens County over the last three months. Keundra Thompson, 22, is the 25th person to be killed on Laurens County roads…
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