A federal study has Laurens County listed among the top counties in the U.S. for recent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, released statistics this past week that positioned Laurens County second among all counties nationwide in GDP growth in terms of…
The Laurens woman charged with starving her former boyfriend’s dog nearly to death will face felony animal abuse charges, according to the 8th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. A grand jury returned an indictment on felony charges Monday afternoon, said 8th Circuit spokesman Brian King. Elizabeth Lena James was arrested in August by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office…
Republican County Councilman Stewart Jones announced his candidacy for the South Carolina House of Representatives in a social media post Monday, becoming the first to publicly declare for the seat being vacated by Rep. Mike Pitts (R-Laurens). Ware Shoals businessman Scott Horne, also a Republican, announced his candidacy Tuesday morning, also on social media. Pitts announced…
The resignation of Rep. Mike Pitts from the S.C. House of Representatives creates a void for District 14 that will be filled by voters in a special election scheduled for April 23, 2019. Pitts, who ran unopposed for a ninth consecutive term in November’s General Election, announced his resignation Sunday afternoon, citing health concerns. He…
Other leaders from across Laurens County say District 14 Rep. Mike Pitts will be missed when he officially leaves office on Jan. 3, 2019. Pitts, 63, announced his resignation after 15 years in the state house Sunday afternoon, citing health concerns. He suffered a heart attack while on a hunting trip in Montana this past…
A Donalds woman was arrested Sunday evening in Ware Shoals after her vehicle got stuck in the back yard of a home she was allegedly burglarizing. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office charged Angela Gunnells, 47, with third-degree burglary, petit larceny and possession of methamphetamine. According to the LCSO, Capt. Chris Martin arrived on the…
District 14 South Carolina Rep. Mike Pitts of Laurens has announced his retirement from the state legislature, citing advice from his physicians following an October heart attack and ensuing surgery. Pitts, who was re-elected to office after running unopposed in November’s General Election, sent a release to news media mid-afternoon Sunday, and offered it as a Facebook…
Schools in Laurens County School District 56 and District 55 will be closed Monday due to potential of more sleet and ice from Winter Storm Diego. Laurens Academy also announced its decision to be closed Monday. Mid-afternoon Sunday, Superintendents David O’Shields from District 56 and Dr. Stephen Peters from District 55 held a conference call with Newberry County School District…
Due to the closing of all federal offices, including the United States Post Office, Wednesday for a National Day of Mourning in honor of President George H.W. Bush, subscribers who receive the Laurens County Advertiser by mail will receive their newspapers on Thursday.
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has located a man convicted by a jury this week on drug charges. Jeffrey Ronald Taylor was found guilty in his absence during 8th Circuit General Sessions Court of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime and unlawful carrying of a pistol. Taylor did not…