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Woman, 22, killed in Gray Court accident

A Gray Court woman was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle accident on Georgia Road in Gray Court. Keundrea Thompson, 22, died of blunt force trauma, said Laurens County Deputy Coroner Ashley Rushton. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the victim was traveling south on Georgia Road near Hellman’s Road in a 2012…

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LPD investigation ends with arrest of alleged drug dealer

What the Laurens Police Department described as “an extensive investigation” ended Monday with the arrest of a Laurens man on multiple charges and the seizure of drugs, vehicles and a cache of weapons. Demorris Cornelius Boyd was arrested after LPD detectives executed a search warrant at a Russell Street residence. According to an announcement from…

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Pedestrian struck, killed near on Highway 14 near Gray Court

A pedestrian attempting to cross Highway 14 at Quarry Road near Gray Court was struck and killed by a vehicle early Saturday morning. The victim was identified as Michael Joshua Ballengee, 37, of Enoree by Laurens County Deputy Coroner Bill Williams. According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Ballenger was walking across Highway 14 around…

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Man killed after falling from vehicle in Ware Shoals

A Gray Court man was killed early Saturday morning after falling from the back of a vehicle traveling on Highway 25/Business 25 in Ware Shoals, the Laurens County Coroner’s Office said. Deputy Coroner Ashley Rushton identified the victim as Michael Vickery, 22. Rushton said in a release that the victim fell from the back of…

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Waterloo man killed in Highway 76 motorcycle crash

A Waterloo man was killed Wednesday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 76 in Laurens County. The victim was identified Thursday morning by the Laurens County Coroner’s Office as Clayborn Knight, 47, of Waterloo. According to S.C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Gary Miller, Knight was piloting a 2003 Honda Goldwing motorcycle eastbound on Highway…

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Clinton educator, coach awarded Order of the Palmetto

Long-time educator and retired National Guardsman Bill Rhodes was presented the state’s top civilian honor during a halftime ceremony at Friday night’s football game between Clinton and Chester at Wilder Stadium. Rhodes, 86, who retired in 1997 as a sergeant major in the U.S. National Guard, has been an educator and a coach for more…

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Bond revoked for accused in traffic death of child

Bond for the man accused of reckless homicide in the traffic death of a 3-year-old Laurens County girl was revoked at an emergency hearing held Tuesday afternoon at the Laurens County Judicial Complex. A magistrate had granted Gabriel Arteaga-Arteaga, 25, bond totaling $51,062.50, but prosecutors argued that his status as an illegal immigrant facing possible…

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Museum sessions highlighting Native American traditions begin Saturday

Laurens, South Carolina – The Laurens County Museum in Historic Square, Downtown Laurens will host two day-long sessions of “Celebrating Native American Traditions, Past and Present,” which are free to the public these last two Saturdays in October. Participants can come to part or all of the programs. On Saturday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct.…

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Bond of Brothers: ‘Chosin Few’ survivors reunite

The timing of Tuesday’s reunion between Laurens’ Lee Brouillette and Harry Hope – two of the Chosin Few from one of the Korean War’s most infamous and bloodiest battles – was oddly fitting. On Oct. 19, 1950, Brouillett and Hope along with the rest of their unit received their orders, 73 years ago Thursday. Hope…

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