The Sheriff’s Office investigated two “Stolen Vehicle” reports yesterday. In the morning, a deputy was dispatched to Bob Gray Road, Gray Court, where a black 1995 Toyota Corolla valued at $2,000 had been taken from the owner’s residence since 9:00 Sunday night. A Deputy was dispatched to Wham Lawn Road yesterday afternoon, where a man reported a moped valued at $950 had been taken from his front yard since last Thursday morning.

Laurens Police were dispatched to Jackson Street at 7:35 last evening, where a male juvenile reported a man had been arguing with a woman and during the argument he presented a handgun. Sgt. Simmons checked with the woman, who said the man did not have a handgun. Using a description of the commercial vehicle the man had been driving, the officer was able to determine who the subject was. This man came to the police department and talked with officers about what had occurred. He said he had gone by the location to give his aunt some money for food. He said he believes the juvenile who reported the presence of a gun has been taking his aunt’s money, and that he explained to him that he would “whip his …..” if he found out he was stealing money from the woman. As for where the idea of a gun came from, the man told the officer he did have a black mag flashlight that was protruding from his pocket during the visit the youth had observed. Officers determined this was what the juvenile thought was a firearm. The case was closed.

The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested a man for allegedly writing bad checks 13 years ago. 35-year-old Daryl Simmons of 600 West Main Street, Clinton was charged with five counts of Fraudulent checks, accused of writing checks in March, April and May, 2002 valued from $17 to just under $54. $125 personal recognizance bonds were set for each, but Mr. Simmons remained in detention this morning, have also been served with a Clinton Municipal Court Bench Warrant that cites a June, 2007 conviction for Driving under Suspension, with a sentence of $2,100 and 180 days in jail.

Laurens County Deputies were at a motel on Highway 56 North, Clinton at 5:26 yesterday afternoon investigating possible methamphetamine activity. Employees of a bail bond company had been at the motel looking for individuals who were jumping bond, but turned their attention to someone else. They reportedly observed a man coming from a room of the motel who appeared to be evading them, so they decided to revoke his bond and take him into custody. While this occurred the man reportedly threw a black sack to the ground. A deputy reportedly examined this sack to discover a clear rock-like substance that appeared to be methamphetamine. A camouflage tin was also found that reportedly contained two more bags of a clear rock-like substance, also appearing to be methamphetamine. A report states the substance tested positive as meth, and weighed some 8 to 11 grams, exceeding the one gram threshold for a Possession with Intent to Distribute charge. That man reportedly exercised his right to remain silent. At the time he was taken into custody, he was allegedly carrying a black bag with handle, shoulder straps, three external pouches and two zip-up compartments with small pad locks on them. A large dual-wheel 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 four-door pickup at the motel and was found to be registered to the suspect in custody. The bag was taken by the Sheriff’s Office, and the Dodge ‘Dually’ was towed to the county impound lot, to be held pending obtaining a search warrant.

31-year-old Jason Richard Doyle, listed as “homeless” living in Clinton, was placed in the Laurens County Detention Center. A warrant was to be sought to charge him with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute for the meth reportedly found in the discarded bag. The investigation was to continue through the search warrant process.

While Electric Rates were the focus in Clinton last night, enjoying the community is the focus tonight as Clinton participates in “National Night Out.” Public Safety Director Robin Morse explained the purpose of this evening’s event for WLBG News.

“Well the National Night out is a program that’s been going on for several years around the nation, and it’s designed to get the people out and to meet their neighbors and talk….have get-togethers in neighborhoods and whatever. It’s to watch out for crime and drugs and get to know your neighbors. You know…take charge of your neighborhood.”

Chief Morse said the Clinton “National Night Out” also features a celebration of the new Martha Dendy Park. “Well what we’re doing tonight, we’re kind of partnering the National Night Out with a dedication to our park over at Martha Dendy, on Bell Street. so we’re going to be having a get-together there starting at 5 o’clock. We’re going to have, probably somewhere around 5:30 or 6:00 o’clock hour, we’ll be having some hot dogs and things. We’ll have a ball tournament going on and different things. We’re going to have different games and festivities going on, inflatables for the kids to play on. …Just to get the community to come out, gather, and we’ll talk a little about the purpose of this while we’re there.”

Robin Morse said people wanting to establish a Community Watch Program for their neighborhood can sign up for it this evening. And you can also call Director Morse at Public Safety to meet with you and your neighbors to discuss the Community Watch Program for your neighborhood.

Last night’s Clinton City Council agenda included a report from Mike Frazier of the Piedmont Municipal Power Association (PMPA), who told of advances in technology to help manage ‘peak demand,’ the most expensive form of electricity. He noted these peaks occur especially during hot summer afternoons, and explained technology Clinton can use to help control the use of this expensive electricity. Even though the public comment period was over, some of the audience gathered asked Frazier how the Demand Side Management System could reduce their electric bill. At least one suggested to City Council they needed to break their contract with PMPA for electric power.

  The P.S. Bailey City Council Chambers were packed to overflowing last evening as residents primarily came to express their concern about their Clinton electric bills. Mayor Bob McLean said that 24 of those gathered had signed up to address council. Marshall Robinson was first to speak, and said that in 18 years living in Clinton he hasn’t had a bill for over $300, but now he’s had “a $500 light bill.” He also expressed concern for his grandmother, and said he wants some answers. The opening comments received cheers and applause from others packing into the standing-room-only audience section of the chambers. Some of those who signed up to speak said they’re points had already been made when they were called. Other’s substituted for those signed up. Almost all indicated their concern was very big increases in the electrical charges. Some told of bills that doubled or even tripled. Most speakers were residents of town, but there were some business owners also complaining about their electric bill. At one point in the program, City Manager Frank Stovall addressed the concerned crowd. “The 1st thing I want to say is that there is nobody in this building, that is an elected official, or works for the city, that is happy about any one of the electric bills and utility bills that went out the door. OK? The important thing to keep in mind is that we know that every time we ask you to give us a penny, that’s a penny you can’t use for food and medicine. That’s a penny you can’t use to take your kid out to eat at House of Pizza or any one of the restaurants Downtown. That’s a penny you can’t invest in some of the businesses that are here.” Frank Stovall said there are two main factors in the higher electric bills, one of those being the amount of electricity used. “I have set down personally and consulted with folks that have brought their power bill into this building and I’ve seen where their kilowatt hour usage was higher this June than it was in May or last June.….In some cases, 5 and 6 times higher.” Stovall also said that rate is a factor. “Some of it is also the rate, and the purchased cost of power. Each month there is a surcharge applied to your bill that floats, based on the purchased cost of power. And it was very high in June. It added 2.9 cents per kilowatt hour to your rate.” Frank Stovall urged residents to pick up a blue sheet available last evening that answers a lot of the questions being asked. At the motion of Councilman Danny Cook, council requested the City Manager set up public forums this month for Council to meet with residents and discuss solutions to the concerns about the cost of electricity. While most questions from the public dealt with the cost of electricity, there was at least one resident expressing concern about the quality of water in her neighborhood. City Manager Frank Stovall asked her to leave her name so Public Works can find out what the problem is with the water supply there.

Laurens Police were dispatched to Flower’s Bakery on East Main at 5:24 yesterday afternoon to investigate a vehicle parts theft. Sometime since 8:00 in the morning someone had taken a catalytic converter from a delivery truck. The part was valued at $200.

The Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Gopher Trail, Laurens at 7:53 last evening where a woman reported a man who lives with her had taken her vehicle without permission. She reportedly indicated that all the man does is get drunk, steal her car and beat on her. Lt. Higgenbotham noted the woman has complained about the man, but will not evict him. The officer determined the woman had not called to report the car as having been taken until learning he had wrecked the vehicle and had been arrested by the Highway Patrol on a Driving under the Influence charge. As a result, no charges for taking the car were to be added by the Sheriff’s Office.

An alleged assault by auto dispatched Laurens Police to Spring Street at 6:47 last evening. Officers spoke with a woman who said she and her boyfriend were driving around looking for houses when he became upset about something. She said the boyfriend began driving erratically, and she asked him to slow down and not drive that way. He then pulled into Hilltop Apartments and told her to get out. She indicated that as she was getting out he pulled her out of the truck, then attempted to hit her with the truck while leaving, causing her to fall and skin her elbows. Officers also spoke with a neighbor who reportedly witnessed the incident. Statements were obtained from both. Later, the Sheriff’s Office located the man on Fleming Mill Road. Lt. Martin drove to that location and talked with the man. He said he didn’t want to argue with the girlfriend so he drove her to the location and told her to get out. He said she started beating on his windows as he drove off, but he didn’t hit her. No arrest was made at the time, due to conflicting versions of events. Another man who the boyfriend was with him at the time was being sought in the investigation. Meanwhile, Lt. Martin obtained the girlfriend’s belongings, including her keys. The man was advised not to have contact with the victim during the investigation or he could be charged with Witness Intimidation.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday booked a Greenville woman for a Laurens County General Sessions Court Bench Warrant. It states that 48-year-old Shirvella Vergica Makins of 113 Mason Street, Greenville failed to appear for an initial appearance April 10, 2015 to face a charge of Forgery. She is being held for her next court appearance on the Forgery case. She was also served yesterday with a Bench Warrant from Fountain Inn Municipal Court. Judge Tammy Finley states that on April 21st, 2015 Ms. Makins was convicted of Possession of More than One Driver’s License. She was sentenced to $237.50 or jail time of 30 days, to run consecutively with any and all other sentences.

Laurens Police were dispatched to Laurens Terrace at 8:55 last night after a 911 hang-up call. Lt. Shane Martin reported arriving to hear a woman yelling “get out of my house.” He was looking to see where this was coming from when he observed a woman waving to get his attention. She indicated a man had just run out of her apartment. A woman said she was lying in bed with her infant when she heard someone walking. She got up to see a man half-way up the steps, and began yelling and swinging a broom at the subject. Officers searched apartments he may have gone into without locating the suspect, but they did get a man of a Greenville man thought to be the suspect.

The vigorous discussions about Clinton utility bills Monday evening primarily dealt with the big charges for electricity used in June. But the subject of water and sewer also came up. Addressing a concern about a sewer bill showing more charges than before, City Manager Frank Stovall explained that there is not a new charge, but that charges already there are being shown for full transparency. He pointed out one category for treatment of sewage, where the city passes along the charge it receives from the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission. He also noted the “I & I” fee on the sewer bill. That, he said, is setting aside money for capital improvements needed for the sewer system.

Later in the meeting, Council approved a $133,000 purchase that will use these I & I funds. $133,184 was the low bid for a skid steer equipped with Forestry Gear needed for maintaining the sewer rights of way. Mayor Bob McLean questioned the way the request for bids was written, indicating it eliminated all but one type of skid-steer. City Manager Stovall said that this Skid Steer is the only one that can be used with the Forestry-Control equipment needed. He said that this skid steer is designed for use in forest settings like Clinton has, and can safety remove trees and grind them up as needed without the risk of fire that could result with equipment not designed for this type work. He pointed out the city is under an order from the EPA to bring utility rights-of-way into compliance with federal regulations. Stovall said he expects it will take one skid steer operated 40-hours-a week up to six years to bring all Clinton rights-of-way into compliance.

Responding to other questions from council members, he said this skid steer does run on tracks, and that the company selling it will train operators. Stovall said he wants at least two or three employees from the new Rights-of-Way division trained to use the machine to keep it in operation and to also know how to prevent injury and prevent getting stuck miles off a roadway. Stovall said some right-of-way areas are now not even accessible by 4-wheelers.

A Clinton man and woman were served with warrants yesterday charging them with Manufacturing Methamphetamine and Unlawful Disposal of Meth Waste on Monday of this week. The man was also served with a Bench Warrant from a previous arrest for Manufacturing Meth. It states that 44-year-old William Robert Richardson of 1859 Young Road, Clinton failed to appear in General Sessions Court July 24^th 2015 for an Initial Appearance on that Meth Manufacturing charge.

In the warrants for the new charges, Officer Sweat states that on August 3^rd William Robert Richardson Sr. had in his possession items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and that he unlawfully disposed of meth waste without authority to do so. Richardson was being held for a bond hearing this morning.

Booked yesterday morning, 45-year-old Angelia Maria Richardson, also of 1859 Young Road, Clinton, was served with warrants that noted an address on Racetrack Road, Laurens. In these Manufacturing & Unlawful Disposal warrants, Officer Sweat states that on August 3^rd Angelia Marie Richardson had in her possession items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, and that she did unlawfully dispose of meth waste without authority to do so.

Arraignment was held yesterday for Angelia Maria Richardson. Bond was denied, and she remains in the Johnson Detention Center.

A report of an attempted home invasion dispatched Laurens Police to Southdale Drive with blue lights and sirens at 1:20 yesterday afternoon. A woman had called and reported that three men were attempting to break into her residence. She then reported the men were running through her back yard. Officer Dillon Sherfield and Sgt. Michael Gainey arrived to hear limbs and brush breaking in the woods. They followed the sounds of the fleeing men and discovered a black wave cap along with a white T-shirt hanging on briars. Sgt. Gainey discovered a single black glove on the ground. He gave other officers the direction of travel of the suspects. Officers Woody and Jones along with Detectives Pittman and Hunnicutt set up a perimeter. Woody then reported spotting the subjects running through a field on Pinehaven Street Extension. Officer Woody then took Tavavia Valentine into custody while the Detectives captured Keenan Caldwell. Both were reportedly sweating profusely and had multiple scrapes and scratches on their torsos. Sgt. Gainey and Officer Jones then located the third suspect lying in the woodline under a fallen tree. Dareon Conner was then taken into custody.

Sgt. Gainey retraced the path of the three suspects and reported recovering evidence. He located a cigarette lighter, two $20 bills and two $10 bills in a creek. He found three $1 bills in the victim’s back yard.

Being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, pending warrants, were 21-year-old Keenan Montez Caldwell of 1711 Apple Orchard Road, Clinton, 28-year-old Direon Aikem Conner of 28941 Highway 76 East, Clinton and 26-year-old Tavazia Quantez Valentine of 812 East Florida Street, Clinton. Valentine also had an address noted on Woodberry Drive, Laurens.

Laurens Police responded to a near northside residence at 8:32 yesterday morning, where a woman reported the theft of her son’s Playstation 4. She indicated her boyfriend had stayed with her children the night before while she worked on 3rd shift. After she got her son up yesterday morning, he advised her that his Playstation is gone. Sgt. Gainey there was no sign of forced entry. The woman said when she asked her boyfriend about the gaming system he left the residence and was not answering her calls to his phone.

he night before while she worked on 3rd shift. After she got her son up yesterday morning, he advised her that his Playstation is gone. Sgt. Gainey there was no sign of forced entry. The woman said when she asked her boyfriend about the gaming system he left the residence and was not answering her calls to his phone.

Deputy Sibley was dispatched to a Cross Hill area restaurant on Lake Greenwood at 4:20 yesterday afternoon to investigate the reported theft of $316 from a cash register. A woman said a man was taking time looking over the menu, so she went back to stocking the cooler across the room. At one point she noticed the man reaching around the register, then leave through the main entrance. She noted he got into a small silver late-model car and drove out of the parking lot, leaving the restaurant on Lakeshore Drive.