A report of two men fighting with guns and knives dispatched Sheriff’s Deputies to 1198 Coggins School Road between Cross Hill & Chappells with lights and sirens at 4:59 yesterday afternoon.

   Sgt. John Carter reported being told of discharge of guns and possible use of a knife and even a fire poker during the altercation between an Uncle and Nephew; but neither had any visible injuries. Both were reportedly discovered to be heavily intoxicated.

Arrested on Breach of Peace charges were 51-year-old Wayne Norris Cunningham of 1198 Coggins School Road, Chappells and 46-year old Keith Bernard Reeder of 1202 Coggins School Road, Chappells. On arrival at the Johnson Detention Center, Keith Reeder was reportedly very belligerent towards assisting Deputy Michael Crockett, who had reportedly arrested him before. Reeder reportedly made threats towards Deputy Crockett. Sgt. Carter was to be seeking a warrant to additionally charge Keith Reeder with Threatening the Life of a Public Official.

  Both Reeder and Cunningham remained in the Johnson Detention Center overnight, pending arraignment today.

   Laurens County Sheriff’s Lt. Robbie Haupfear and Sgt. John Carter responded to Torrington Road east of Laurens at 6:33 last evening on a report of an individual attempting to sell a bicycle that was possibly stolen. A man spotted with a bicycle in a parking lot at the corner of Old Airport Road reportedly fled when he observed the deputies. Sgt. Carter located him in a yard nearby on Torrington Road. A Torrington Road resident reportedly stated the subject with the bicycle had offered to sell it to him for $15 and a ride to Watts Mill, but he thought it looked suspicious with the manufacturer’s bag still attached to the handle bars so he called 911.

 Deputies arrested 52-year-old Billy Dwayne Miller of 73 Atomic Drive, Laurens on a Public Intoxication charge at 6:43 pm and placed him in the Johnson Detention Center. Lt. Haupfear took the bicycle to Wal-Mart, where it was identified as having been stolen. It was valued at $234.  Meanwhile, Laurens Police Lt. David Brewer had responded to Wal-Mart at 6:33 last evening on a report of a bicycle theft. Miller was reportedly identified from store video. Laurens Police note that Miller had a trespass notice to stay out of Wal-Mart from a previous shoplifting case. Warrants were being sought to charge Billy Dwayne Miller with Shoplifting Enhanced and with Trespass at Wal-Mart last evening. A Deputy was also to investigate a Possession of Stolen Property charge. Miller remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

    A Clinton woman was arrested early yesterday afternoon on Stalking charges. The Sheriff’s Office booked 25-year-old Kawanda Latavia Wilson of 98 Lewis Street, Clinton and served her with a warrant that states on several occasions August 25^th she stalked, threatened and harassed the victim by text messages that threatened bodily harm to the victim. Kawanda Latavia Wilson of Clinton was held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center pending arraignment today.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Joanna man Monday morning on two new charges, while also serving him with a warrant from an undercover operation. 27-year-old Lyndell Tyrell Sims of 508 West Calhoun Street, Joanna was served with a warrant charging Distribution of Methamphetamine from an alleged incident late last month. Narcotics Investigator Matt Veal states that on October 28^th Lyndell Sims distributed a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant working with the Sheriff’s Office. Later yesterday, Sims was also served with two warrants alleging violations yesterday morning. He was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and with Simple Possession of Marijuana, 2^nd offense. Cpl Nick Moye states that on November 18^th Sims intentionally possessed 28 grams or less of marijuana at 508 West Calhoun Street, a charge for which he had a prior conviction; and that he was also in possession of a firearm at that location. The warrant specifies that he is forbidden to possess a firearm as he is a convicted felon. During arraignment yesterday, surety bonds were set at $25,000 for the Distribution of Methamphetamine charge and at $5,000 each for the 2^nd Offense Possession of Marijuana and the Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

A man arrested early Sunday morning on multiple charges was served yesterday with another case, citing an assault seven years ago.

24-year-old Christopher Raymond Brown of 138 Lee Street, Laurens was served with General Sessions Court Bench Warrant following his early Sunday morning arrest. And from evidence at the arrest site, 291 Fort Lindley Road Sunday morning, Brown was charged with Possessing a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, Simple Possession of Marijuana and with Resisting Arrest.

  Yesterday, Christopher Brown was also charged with an assault from seven years ago. A warrant states that Chris Brown intentionally committed battery on a victim by hitting him with his fist around the head and face, causing injury to the victim’s right eye and sending him to the hospital for treatment. This allegedly occurred November 16, 2006 at Dragon Trail, Laurens.

   The old case represents work of the late Deputy Paul Max Bollman II, who died recently. His work lives on.

  The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Laurens area man yesterday on multiple charges from this past weekend. 33-year-old Michael John Tehonica of 812 Highway 252, Laurens is charged with Kidnapping, Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature, Malicious Damage. He is accused of unlawfully seizing and confining the victim at 812 Highway 252 Saturday and Sunday without authority. Another warrant states that on Saturday Michael John Tehonica knowingly and willfully caused injury to a member of his household and used a deadly weapon in commission of the assault. He allegedly choked the victim and hit her in the face numerous times and pointed a shotgun at her, making threats to kill her.

 The third charge of Pointing and Presenting related to that alleged use of a firearm at his residence Saturday.

  We understand that additional warrants are being sought for resisting arrest and simple possession of marijuana charges. Arraignment on the charges against Michael John Tehonica was set for 4 this afternoon.

 Average can be a good thing. Ms. Brenda Schrantz, Special Programs and Gifted Education Coordinator for School District 56, came before the Board of Trustees at last night’s meeting with what she called exciting news.

  On the surface and to the untrained eye the news did not appear all that exciting.  The data that makes up the report cards for individual schools and for the district as a whole was presented and showed a rating of ‘Average’.

But, Ms. Schrantz, asked the Board to look at the numbers.  She pointed out that the ratings are divided into two overall categories:  Absolute and Growth.  Absolute shows the actual score while the Growth score shows progress toward goals.

  In the Absolute score, the Index for 2011 was 2.57.  In 2012 that same score was 2.87.  For 2013 the Absolute Index for School District 56 comes in at 3.01.

  Schrantz told the Board that individual schools and even districts across the state have achieved marks of ‘Excellent’ for one year only to fall back to ‘Below Average’ in subsequent years.  The steady, sustained growth shown in the data for District 56, she said is much preferred, she said, to short lived spike in ratings.

  She provided the Board with the data supplied by State Department of Education but reiterated that the school report card was, when viewed in the big picture sense, very good news.

 An Autopsy conducted on a Laurens man yesterday did not provide a final conclusion as to the cause of his death. 59-year-old Bruce Gregory of Penland Road died this past Saturday, after spending weeks hospitalized from injuries received last month when his motorcycle was struck by another vehicle on Fleming Street in Laurens. Coroner Nick Nichols last evening said that a rule of the cause of death of Bruce Gregory is pending toxicology reports, which he expects to have back in a couple of weeks.

 Aaron Industries is about to become part of a New York State-based organization in an acquisition announced yesterday.

   Mitch Singer, President and CEO of PL Developments, headquartered in Westbury, New York said “We are very pleased to bring together two well-run organizations with strong cultures that have focused on manufacturing excellence, quality products and high-level customer service.” Singer said “PL Development’s preeminent position in the solid dose market segment, combined with Aaron Industries’ strength in liquids and first aid products, allows us to provide greater product depth and choices for the growing needs of our retail partners and the consumer packaged goods industry.”
  Aaron Industries was founded in 1981 and is headquartered in Clinton. Aaron Industries President and CEO James L. Medford said “This merger is the culmination of our efforts to build a successful company that produces the highest quality of products by the best people.” He said “PL Developments is the ideal partner to take us to the next level as the trusted provider to the retail and consumer packaged goods industries. We share the same principles that have driven our individual success which are based on providing value, service, quality, integrity and excellence in all that we do.”

  Aaron Industries’ operations will be completely integrated into PL Developments with combined company headquarters in Westbury, N.Y. Its manufacturing and distribution facilities will remain in Clinton and Los Angeles.

      PL Developments President and CEO Mitch Singer said “PL Developments is well positioned to be part of the solution for reigning in escalating national healthcare costs.”

  Terms of the acquisition of Aaron Industries were not announced, noting both firms are privately held. After federal approval, it’s anticipated the acquisition will be finalized later this month.

   Multiple charges are expected to be coming today from a Laurens County Sheriff’s Office drug investigation. Deputies were at a residence on Highway 25 near Mount Bethel Road north of Ware Shoals last night. Officers arrested five people as a result, including one Ware Shoals area woman who was reportedly observed signalling to pull in at the suspect location then swerved and attempted to drive away.

  In addition to that Ware Shoals woman, a Laurens woman and three men from the Ware Shoals, Donalds and Hodges area were also arrested. They were placed in the Johnson Detention Center this morning, and were being held for charges.

  A major fire shut down operations yesterday at the Carolina Shavings facility east of Clinton.

  It was suggested that perhaps a spark from a piece of machinery may have started the fire then yesterday’s wind quickly spread the flames.

  The wood shavings plant lies at the intersection between Shady Grove Church Road and Hurricane Church Road off Highway 76.

  Firefighters from several fire departments responded to the fire, which reportedly began late yesterday morning. Going into last night, firefighters were attempting to separate pockets of wood shavings to reduce threat of the fire reigniting.

  Clinton Public Safety’s Fire Division kept someone on the scene throughout the night to watch for any remaining hot spots and prevent the blaze resuming. 

  There were reports of other fires at the facility over the past year which were able to be extinguished without serious damage.

   Laurens County Deputy Jamie Lee Edwards was dispatched to a Conway Avenue address outside Laurens at 9:41 yesterday morning in reference to items being stolen from the residence. They were reportedly valued at $630. A man reported that sometime from the previous night to yesterday morning a TV, Stereo and DVD player were taken from his home. He said there is no power at his residence so he goes elsewhere to spend the night, and that when he and his female friend returned yesterday morning they found the items missing.

    Clinton Public Safety responded to an East Ferguson Street address at 9:31 yesterday morning on a report of the theft of a pot and dog food, valued at $75. Officer Matthew Metz spoke with a man who said that someone the previous night someone stole a black cast-iron flower-pot from his front yard and some dog food off the back porch. The officer observed where the contents of the flower-pot had been dumped on the ground.

   A Laurens County man reported the theft of some $170 worth of tools from his car port yesterday afternoon. He said he had gone to get groceries at 11 am and his gate was closed. When he returned around 1pm the gate was open and his truck was missing. Also, a Craftsman tool set and heavy-duty Black and Decker drill were missing from his car port. Well, a bit of investigation revealed that the truck had been repossessed. Deputy Yarborough was advised that if the man brought the keys to his truck to the lien holder he could get his tools back.

   A big truck’s attempt to travel down a side street near Downtown Laurens reportedly resulted in over $5,000 in damage to a power line. Laurens Police responded to Jones Street at 5:28 yesterday afternoon on a report of a tractor-trailer truck damaging power lines. Officer Andrew Ashley arrived to observe a broken power pole in the roadway and several guy-tension wires dangling over the roadway. The CPW was dispatched to the scene a short time later, and a CPW employee was able to secure the wires for the evening, pending permanent repair. Damage to the power line on Jones Street was $5,500.

   The Laurens County Sheriff’s office arrested two men yesterday in separate domestic violence cases.

  Cpl Nick Moye arrested 21-year-old Christopher Getterrio Turner of 106 Gray Barn Road, Gray Court early in the morning northeast of Clinton for an alleged assault. Turner was charged with Criminal Domestic Violence 1st Offense in a ticket issued at 4 am at a location on Highway 72 East. Christopher G. Turner remained in the Johnson Detention Center early this morning, pending a bond hearing.

  22-year-old Charles Ricky “Charlie” Wilson of 2733 Collinswood Drive, Newberry was charged yesterday with Criminal Domestic Violence for an alleged assault in Laurens County on Wednesday. A warrant from Deputy Nation states that on November 20th Charles Ricky Wilson caused or attempted to cause physical harm to the victim under circumstances that reasonably created fear of imminent peril to the victim. The warrant cited an address for Charlie Wilson on Golden Acres Road, Clinton. Charlie Wilson remained in the Johnson Detention Center earlier this morning, pending arraignment.

   The South Carolina Highway Patrol arrested an Upstate man yesterday in connection with a traffic accident in Laurens County almost two years ago. 30-year-old Jonathan Wayne Herndon of Unit #8 at 101 Paradise Road, Pelzer was served with warrants charging him with Hit and Run and with Driving Too Fast for Conditions. The warrants alleged that on January 31st, 2012 at approximately 6:50 pm Jonathan Wayne Herndon did operate a vehicle on Neely Ferry  Road too fast for conditions, and that the vehicle he was driving was involved in a collision on Neely Ferry Road and a man and a woman were named as victims in the warrant.

Highway Patrol Cpl M. W. Jones further alleges that Jonathan Herndon fled the scene of the collision on foot. Herndon remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning, pending a bond hearing on the two charges.

   The President and many Democratic Senators are praising the move yesterday changing Senate rules to make it easier to win approval of some Presidential appointments.

   Among Republican Senators speaking out against the change was South Carolina Senator Tim Scott. Calling it an “unprecedented power grab,” Scott suggested the move came to try to shift people’s attention away from what he called “the disastrous Obamacare rollout.” Senator Scott called the change in Senate rules “short sighted,” and said “it carries implications Democrats are going to have to live with when Republicans retake the Senate.” Scott added “It is also unfortunate that Senator Reid and Senate Democrats have developed amnesia in regards to how they acted when Republicans were in the majority. While they held up nominations for up to a thousand days under President Bush, Democrats have now decided to invoke the nuclear option over nominees for a court that doesn’t even have the workload to keep the judges it has busy.”

  Yesterday’s rule change will keep filibusters from blocking nominations such as the current attempt to fill vacancies on the Washington, DC Appeals Court. It will not change the rules that require a 60% vote to override Supreme Court appointments.

 The arrest of five people on drug charges Wednesday night began when Lt. Christopher Martin and Lt. Scott Franklin went to a mobile home at 16303 Highway 25 North of Ware Shoals at 9:04 pm looking for a man who was wanted for charges. That particular suspect was apparently not home, but his brother was, along with two other man and two women. A report on the incident states that sounds of people moving around in the trailer after a first person came to the door indicated the presence of more people than the first subject had indicated. Continued investigation of the location reportedly located  syringes and various drugs. A canine search of the area also allegedly alerted investigators to the presence of marijuana in a vehicle behind the mobile home.

  That vehicle was towed away and impounded. In addition to methamphetamine marijuana and other narcotics reportedly seized at the scene, deputies also noted confiscating $741 in cash. 

   Warrants were obtained by three Laurens County Sheriff’s investigators yesterday to charge five people arrested Wednesday night at a residence north of Ware Shoals on Highway 25, near Mount Bethel Road. The warrants were obtained by Sheriff’s investigators and alleged the drug violations occurred on November 20^th.

    35-year-old Norman Daniel Reese of 5700 Highway 252, Donalds was charged with

Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute on November 20^th and with Drug Trafficking for alleged possession of more than 66 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine. He was also charged with Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute, noting possession of between 28 and 100 grams.

   43-year-old Larry Furman Benton Jr. of 16303 Highway 25, Ware Shoals was charged with Possession of more than 66 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine and  

Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute.

   28-year-old Gary Barker Plake III, booked with an address of 1322 Nation Road, Hodges was served with warrants that noted an address at the arrest scene, 16303 Highway 25, Ware Shoals. He is accused of Drug Trafficking for allegedly being in possession of more than 66 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine, with another charge of Possession of Crystal Methamphetamine and with Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute. Gary Plake III was also issued a ticket with a 4^th charge, Simple Possession of Marijuana at 11 pm Wednesday night on Highway 25 at Mount Bethel Road.

  31-year-old Stacey Lynn Jones of 163 Christian Drive, Laurens was also listed with the Highway 25 address in warrants she was served yesterday. She is facing a Drug Trafficking charge that alleges possession of more than 66 grams of Crystal Methamphetamines and with Possession of Hydrocodone with Intent to Distribute.

  47-year-old Susanna Leigh Grant of 27 Forest Lane, Ware Shoals was issued a ticket charging her with Driving without a valid South Carolina Driver’s License at 10:54 Wednesday night on Highway 25. She is also facing two drug charges in warrants that allege Possession of Diazepam without Authority and Possession of Clonazepam without Authority.

  All five suspects remained in the Johnson Detention Center earlier this morning awaiting arraignment.

      A review of the state-issued report cards for schools was presented at last night’s District 55 School Board meeting. Jody Penland reported that the District Score was a rating of average, the same as the previous year. The District growth rating was good, down from last year’s excellent rating, and the District’s retention rate dropped from 3.9 to 2.7. Penland said the Elementary and Secondary Education Act rating dropped from a B grade to a C.

     In the individual school grades, Hickory Tavern Elementary and Waterloo Elementary earned an excellent rating. Laurens District 55 High School and Hickory Tavern Middle School earned ratings of good. Average ratings were reported for EB Morse, Gray Court – Owings Elementary and Middle Schools, Laurens Elementary plus Laurens and Sanders Middle Schools. Ford Elementary, however, dropped to below average from last year’s average rating.