A new apprentice program is coming for students at Laurens District 55 High School. During last night’s District 55 School Board meeting held at Gray Court – Owings School, Superintendent Billy Strickland said the apprentice program will soon be available. He indicated the program will provide funds for technical school or Junior College, following graduation from High School. Dr. Strickland said   “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students. This company is new to our area and they have come in and embraced our schools. We congratulate ZF and appreciate their hard work.”

   Strickland also announced a Clemson University and Duke Energy Grant Award. He said that District 55 and School District 56 were among school districts receiving first round funding in the program. This grant awarded 36 school districts and charter schools and nine technical colleges a total of $450,000 for workforce development initiatives. The school districts are to share $175,000 to support science, technology, engineering and mathematic programs.

  One Mountville man is accused of attempting to kill an older Mountville man this weekend. The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested 26-year-old Orlando Rodriques Jones of 4543 Mountville Road on a charge of Attempted Murder. Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Franklin states that on November 23^rd Orlando R. Jones attempted to murder the victim by beating him in the head with a brick, causing great bodily injury to the victim, Gary Anthony Wallace at 49 Tree drive, Mountville. Deputies dispatched to the scene Saturday night reported finding the victim lying on the floor with his head in a pool of blood. Wallace was airlifted from Mountville to Greenville for treatment of his serious head injuries. A brick was reportedly found in the blood near his head.

Orlando Jones was being held in the Johnson Detention Center this morning, pending arraignment on the Attempted Murder charge.

 Another person has been charged with trying to buy more non-prescription ephedrine products than the law allows. Laurens City Police yesterday arrested 30-year-old Timothy Rea Wells of 444 Indian Mound Road, Laurens on an ‘Attempt to Purchase’ warrant, citing an offense this September. Detective Leann Riggott states that the subject attempted or conspired to obtain ephedrine products totaling more than 9 grams in a 30-day period. This allegedly occurred at Wal-Mart at 922 East Main on September 18^th.

Wells was released on a $500 personal recognizance bond.

  The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested a woman on child neglect charges from an alleged situation this past summer. 34-year-old Delisha Rhodes Broome of 45 Vern Cora Road, Laurens was served with two counts of Neglect. Warrants alleged that on August 31^st she placed at unreasonable risk of harm or caused bodily harm or abandonment of a minor child that she had custody of as the child’s parent or guardian. Delisha Broome was released from the Johnson Detention Center on personal recognizance bonds totaling $20,000.  

Cruelty to Children was the charge levied against a Clinton man yesterday. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Christopher Anthony Lear of 1554 Sunset Blvd, Clinton on that charge. In a warrant, Deputy Martin states that on November 8^th, 2013 Christopher Anthony Lear did inflict or cause to be inflicted ill-treatment, unnecessary pain and suffering to an 8-year-old minor child which caused bruising on the child’s shoulder. Christopher Lear was being held overnight pending arraignment on the charge today.

 The Laurens County Library System will begin a week-long annual event next Monday, where library patrons who have fines for late returns have a chance to get those fees waived. Called “Food for Fines,” the annual event gives folks a chance to have a late fee waived in return for a donation of a can of food. The food raised at the Clinton Public Library goes to a food bank in Clinton, while food donated at the Library on West Main in Laurens goes to a Laurens food bank.

  The annual holiday “Food for Fines” event begins this coming Monday, December 2^nd and runs through local parade day – Saturday, December 7^th.

    The Sheriff’s Office was holding a man early this morning, pending charges. The charges are expected to involve an active meth lab. Meanwhile, charges were served on four men and two women yesterday in connection with an allegedly active meth lab found after midnight yesterday morning by the Sheriff’s Office.

   In warrants, Sheriff’s Cpl Nick Moye states the subjects were in possession of items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine yesterday at 412 Gastley Drive, Clinton, that they were in possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, that they illegally disposed of methamphetamine waste and that they were in possession of a firearm during commission of a violent crime.  The allegedly active meth lab was reportedly found in an outbuilding at 412 Gastley Drive.

  The subjects included 24-year-old William David Dewitt and 19-year-old Latrice ‘Ashley’ Ouztes, both of 412 Gastley Drive, Clinton. Others charged included 30-year-old Billy Ray Smith of 209 Spruce Street, Clinton and 36-year-old Tonia Relaine Crane of 29220 Highway 76 East, Clinton.

   These two men and two women were being held in the Johnson Detention Center earlier today with bonds totaling $52,000.

    The firearm reportedly found at the alleged meth lab lead to an additional charge for two others arrested early yesterday morning. They’re also charged with being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm. 21-year-old Houston Kyle Motes “Toot” of 186 Hazelwood Drive, Clinton had bond denied on all charges during his arraignment yesterday. 45-year-old Charles Ray Griffin of 6125 Whitmire Highway, Clinton had bond set totaling $57,000 with the additional charge.

   All six remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

   Another man was arrested over last night and was being held for charges following another allegedly active meth lab investigation by the Sheriff’s office.

    A final vote last night approved tax incentives for Norboard for a planned expansion at the company’s Joanna plant. Laurens County Council last night gave unanimous approval for ordinance 760, which authorizes new Fee-in-Lieu-of-Tax terms for Norboard. Council has approved a ten-year extension of FILOT terms and certain special source revenue credits in connection with the expansion project. Council action last night also delivers benefits for a multi-county industrial park for Norboard’s Laurens County plant expansion.

   In other economic development business, Laurens County Development Corporation Executive Director Marvin Moss announced that the new spec building is now finished construction at Owings Industrial Park. He said landscaping of the site remains and that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the spring.

   County Council last night went into executive session to discuss a proposed 50,000 square foot spec building for the Clinton Corporate Park. Action by the LCDC board on that proposal and on a new 100,000 square foot building in Laurens’ Hunter Industrial Park was delayed last week until County Council could consider the matter.  Financing is to be provided by Santee Cooper with delayed repayment advantages.

  Council members Jim Coleman and Diane Anderson reported that they attended the State Association of Regional Governments as representatives of the Upper Savannah Council, and that they were congratulated for the success Laurens County has had with economic development.

 The Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Beaverdam Creek Road, Gray Court at 8:21 last night after Spartanburg County 911 received a call from the address. A woman had advised that all was OK, but a Spartanburg 911 operator reported hearing a male yelling in the background. The man had left when Deputy Steven Sweat arrived. The woman said she and her husband had an argument that began with a sandwich not being made fast enough for him. She indicated the argument escalated to the point where he threw the sandwich against the wall and he knocked over the Christmas tree. Deputy Sweat observed the tree was then standing, but observed what appeared to be sandwich meat hanging off a tapestry on the living room wall. There were two children in the residence who reportedly told the deputy that there was meat on the wall and the Christmas tree had been knocked over.

  The wife said her husband had not laid hands on her, and that she had called 911 out of fear; but she said things were now fine and she didn’t want to pursue charges.

Laurens Police Officer James Woody and Lt David Brewer responded to Price Street at 2:04 this morning regarding a physical altercation between a 30-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man. Officers were told that the man had accused the woman of cheating on him. She reportedly replied that in fact she was seeing someone else and she wanted him to move out of the house. He reportedly became upset and allegedly starting hitting her in the face, then grabbed her and held her down in the floor. After some time she was able to get up from the dining room floor and reportedly ran to the kitchen and obtained a knife that she used to keep the man from getting to her. He was reportedly cut on the finger during an attempt to get to her. He initially rejected an offer of medical treatment. After investigating the situation, officers placed the man under arrest. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of the cut to his hand. 52-year-old Willie Norris Brown of 107 Price Street was to be charged with Simple Domestic Assault. Meanwhile, a bench warrant was also reportedly located that was to be served on him.

   Clinton Public Safety has charged a woman with assaulting her boyfriend with a kitchen knife. 26-year-old Sherri Latwon Goggins of 611 Bailey Street, Clinton was arrested at 9:50 Tuesday night. She was charged with Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature and with Possession of a Deadly Weapon during Commission of a Crime. Public Safety Officer Naomi Bassett states that on November 26^th the defendant did assault the victim by presenting a kitchen knife and threaten to kill him. The warrant notes that the defendant and victim cohabit in the same household in the means of a romantic relationship and have a child in common. The assault allegedly occurred at 611 Bailey Street. The second warrant states the defendant allegedly was in possession of a kitchen knife as a deadly weapon while committing the crime of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature. Sherri Goggins was transferred to the Johnson Detention Center yesterday, where she remained early today with bonds totaling $15,000.

   Laurens Police Sgt. Gainey was patrolling Anderson Drive at 11:15 last night and reportedly observed a suspicious SUV parked at the Y with the engine running and the lights on. As he approached the vehicle it left the parking lot taking Anderson Drive toward Church Street. Sgt. Gainey reported the vehicle failed to yield at the intersection at Church Street, and failed to use turn signals. He made a traffic stop, with the dark-colored SUV pulling off at the Palmetto Bank on Church. Sgt. Gainey reportedly observed the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and noted the woman inside appeared to be nervous, attempting to hide something. Further investigation reportedly located 3.3 grams of marijuana in the vehicle, along with scales with marijuana residue. Sgt. Gainey also allegedly found 17 green pills believed to be Klonopin. $110 cash was reportedly found inside a Trojan condom box that was located under the driver’s seat.

18-year-old Callison Bree Taylor of 49 Brookwood  Circle, Laurens was arrested and placed in the Johnson Detention Center. Warrants were to be sought to charge Bree Taylor with Simple Possession of Marijuana and with Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance.

   A Clinton man has been charged with holding a gun on another man this past summer. The Sheriff’s Office yesterday booked 41-year-old Sebastian Matthew Young of 590 Phillips Street, Apartment H-2, Clinton on a Pointing and Presenting charge. Deputy T.A. Alexander states that on June 29^th Sebastian Matthew Young presented a firearm to the victim at a location on Coleman Road, Clinton. The warrant states this was not in an act of self-defense. Sebastian Young was released from the Johnson Detention Center on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.

   Laurens City Police yesterday arrested a local man on charges of exploiting another man he had responsibility for. 52-year-old William McArthur Abercrombie of 406 Irby Avenue Extension, Laurens was charged with Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult.

    Detective Tony Lynch states  that between June 1^st 2011 and November 26^th, 2013 William Arthur Abercrombie committed the crime of exploitation of a vulnerable adult by unauthorized use of the funds, assets, property, power of attorney, guardianship or conservatorialship of a vulnerable adult for profit or advantage. Abercrombie was placed in the Johnson Detention Center with a cash or surety bond set at $5,000.

    City of Clinton Community & Economic Director Stephen Taylor and Laurens City Clerk Gary Coleman were among 55 local leaders and development professionals from across South Carolina who recently completed the 2013 South Carolina Economic Development Institute.    

    Institute graduates received their Certificates of Completion during the final day of the 2013 Institute held at Rock Hill City Hall. 

   During the program’s two-day sessions, participants traveled to various locations throughout the state gaining insight into economic development issues impacting South Carolina, including: water and wastewater infrastructure, available industrial or business buildings and the community development components necessary to attract investment.

   The Institute is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association. The program emphasizes essential elements necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy and educates attendees on the emerging trends in community and economic development.

  Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said “Economic development is a team effort, requiring input from organizations and individuals from across the state. The Institute gives participants the knowledge and tools to compete in today’s challenging economic environment.” Hitt added “While we continue to look outward for economic development opportunities, these graduates will help our state remain competitive and well-prepared for future growth.”

  The South Carolina Economic Development Institute is entering into its 24th year and is open to participants from a wide variety of organizations and entities, such as local council members, government employees, economic development professionals and community board members.

  Manufacturing Methamphetamine charges were served yesterday on a Laurens man arrested in the overnight from an alleged meth lab. The Sheriff’s office charged 23-year-old Robert Mackenzie Howell of 69 Sullivan Road, Laurens with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Illegal Disposal of Methamphetamine Waste and Simple Possession of Marijuana. Deputy Charles Nations states that on November 27^th Robert Howell manufactured methamphetamine and did unlawfully dispose of methamphetamine waste without authority to do so. Nation states that on November 26^th Howell was in possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana. Bonds were set totaling $20,620 on the three charges. Robert Mackenzie Howell remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

 A Clinton woman called Laurens City Police to the Shoppes at Wal-Mart at 6:42 last evening on a vehicle hit-and-run. She said another woman had told her that her car was hit by another car, which had moved down in the parking lot. Officer James Woody reported observing small scratches at the rear driver-side fender. In locating the suspect vehicle, he found it had extensive damage, apparently from a previous wreck, and indicated the case was going to require further investigation. Damage to the victim’s vehicle was estimated at $150.

Sheriff’s Sgt. John Carter was dispatched to Terry’s Park Road outside Laurens at 6:28 last evening and met with the resident, who said his children’s mother had scratched his neck. The officer noted the man had a red mark that appeared more like a razor burn. He noted the man’s speech was slurred and smelled of alcohol. Sgt. Carter then spoke with a Prosperity woman outside the man’s residence. She said she had picked the man up at a family member’s residence and took him to his home for a visit with his children, which he said he wanted to visit with. She said she didn’t know he was intoxicated, or would not have brought the children to see him. She said that on the way to his residence he went through her cell phone and saw where she had been talking to another man. She said he then got mad and struck her in the right side of the face. Sgt. Carter reported observing minor swelling to the right side of the woman’s face. He then arrested the man, 24-year-old Ernest James Hyler III of 105 Terry’s Park Road, Laurens. A ticket was issued at 6:47 pm charging Mr. Hyler with Criminal Domestic Violence. Hyler was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, pending arraignment today.

    Substitute teachers in School District 55 are going to be acquired through a Temporary Employment company. District 55 Chief Financial Officer Rodney Smith advised the School Board this past Monday night that due to certain state and federal rulings which involve how part-time employees are paid, the district will soon be contracting out the employment of substitute teachers to Kelly Employment Services.

Smith said “This is a problem all over the state, and Kelly has already been used in other districts, and from what I see, this as a win-win situation.”

     The board had many questions on this change. Smith assured that the schools will still maintain control on what subs will be used and they will still have the power to control their performance. Referring to the Temp company, Smith said “They are going to use our people, pay them the same; but they are just going to be working for the Kelly Company. This way they can work as many hours as they want, get benefits, and even receive awards, like ‘Sub of the year,” Rodney Smith said he had his first meeting with Kelly last Saturday and he assured the board he had the same questions they were posing. He said when his meeting with the employment company was over, all his questions were answered.