The Lake Greenwood Master Plan is to be presented to the Public at a joint meeting for residents of Laurens, Greenwood and Newberry Counties this coming Monday evening. The Greenwood City/County Planning Office has announced the joint meeting is to receive input and provide discussion on the status of the Lake Greenwood Master Plan by Orion Planning Group.

The release noted that County Councils may attend the meeting, and a quorum could be present, but no action is to be taken by either County Council. Residents interested in the Lake Greenwood Master Plan are invited to attend this meeting, which is to start at 5:30 Monday afternoon at the Drummond Center at Lake Greenwood State Park, 302 State Park Road, Ninety Six.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office booked a Whitmire area woman at midday yesterday on Bench Warrants regarding two charges of Unlawful Neglect of Children. She is 37-year-old Connie Lynn Baker of 6824 Ridge Road, Whitmire, also known as “Connie Felker.” Both Bench Warrants state she failed to appear for a Docket Appearance on July 24^th, 2015 in Laurens County General Sessions Court. Connie Baker remained in the Johnson Detention Center today.

The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested a man and woman on Child Neglect charges, and the man was also had charges from alleged injuries on two children from a belt from an alleged incident last Friday.

Booked last evening was 35-year-old James Morris Shell II. He was booked as living at 211 Redmond Drive, Fountain Inn, although the warrants list the same Gray Court address as the children’s mother.

Shell was charged with two counts of Assault and Battery in the 2nd Degree and two counts of Unlawful Neglect of Children. Investigator Crocket states that Shell intentionally committed battery upon one juvenile victim by striking the juvenile with a belt, causing severe bruising and a laceration to the arm. The 2nd Assault & Battery in the 2nd Degree warrant states that Shell struck an 11-year-old juvenile with a belt, causing severe bruising. Both warrants state this occurred on August 14th.

In the two warrants charging Unlawful Neglect, Investigator Crockett states that on August 14th Mr. Shell placed at unreasonable risk of harm or caused to be done any bodily injury or abandonment of a juvenile child, and that he is the child’s parent or guardian. The two victims were noted as eleven and sixteen years old.

Yesterday afternoon the Sheriff’s Office booked 37-year-old Sherlina Burnam Shell of 554 Lakeview Drive, Gray Court. She’s charged with four counts of Unlawful Neglect of Children. Investigator Crockett states that on August 14th Mrs. Shell placed at unreasonable harm or abandonment of a minor child that she had custody of and his parent of. The four warrants state the victims were minors aged eleven in two of the charges and aged twelve and sixteen in the other two. James Morris Shell II and Sherline Burnam Shell were being held overnight, pending bond hearings today.

Flight of the Dove Bicyclists coming into Clinton for the 10th Annual Flight of the Dove are being invited Downtown Clinton this evening to get ready for the ride tomorrow morning. As Hospice of Laurens County Public Relations Director Jay West said on WLBG’s Morning News yesterday, the City of Clinton is joining with Hospice for a “Carb Up IN Clinton” event from 4 until 8 this evening. People planning to participate in either of the rides tomorrow morning can stop by the Depot in the Center of Downtown from 4 until 8 this evening and receive information about local restaurants that can help riders get the carbs they need in their diet.

City of Clinton Special Projects Coordinator Mary-Wallace Riley yesterday also noted that representatives from the City and Hospice will be at the Depot this evening so people can pick up their registration packets, as well as get information of where to get “carbed up” for tomorrow’s ride. She noted Lazytoe Productions will be providing music and the Health Express from Self will be on site providing health education.

Ms. Riley said no city streets are to be closed for the event this evening at the Depot on the Monument Square.

Wide support for trails in Laurens County is reported by the Laurens County Trails Association. The LCTA yesterday issued a report on results of public meetings held around the county this spring and summer. The most popular activities identified this year, in order of priority, were walking/hiking, cycling, and enjoying quiet time. Those are followed by running/jogging, nature observation/birding, kayaking/canoeing, visiting historic sites, group outings, horseback riding, mountain-biking, and commuting.

The results show a strong interest in making safe, non-motorized pedestrian and cycling paths to the county’s schools and business areas. The most requested trail access points were Clinton, Laurens, Sumter National Forest, Fountain Inn, and Gray Court.

About 17% of the respondents say they would use trails on weekends only, but some 43% would use trails weekly and 10% want daily use. The most unified response occurred on the question of whether the Swamp Rabbit Trail should be extended through Laurens County. Nearly 97% support the continuation of the Swamp Rabbit Trail from Greenville County through Laurens County to connect with the Palmetto Trail. The LCTA summary suggest this high percentage of support most likely results from the widely recognized and well-documented popularity and economic benefits of the SRT for Greenville County.

In summary, the survey shows strong support for a trail system in Laurens County that would serve as a county transportation system as well as provide connections from the communities to recreation sites throughout Laurens County as well as to the Palmetto Trail, the Swamp Rabbit Trail, and the Sumter National Forest. The data from the public meetings and survey will be used in the development of a master greenway plan for the county and to establish priorities for development and fundraising.

The Laurens County Trails Association’s thanked everyone who participated in the public meetings and survey. As a non-profit volunteer organization, it also welcomes participation in its efforts to develop trails in Laurens County. The survey was developed by the Laurens County Trails Association with support from the National Park Service and administered by the Presbyterian College Office of Institutional Research. There were 239 respondents form across the county who participated in the survey. Just over half of them were woman, and nearly half were from 41 to 64 years old.

People interested in more information and to learn how they may help are asked to see the LCTA facebook page at: www.facebook.com/laurenscountytrailsassociation

Laurens High Football Coach Chris Liner spoke to the Laurens Rotary Club yesterday, as final practice is underway for next week’s opening game at Belton Honea Path High School. He said there has been big improvement in the team this year. While saying he was not satisfied with last year’s 6 and 6 season, saying he does not want to be ‘average,’ but the emphasis in his talk was more on helping the youth develop good character than football technique.

In introducing Coach Liner for his second annual appearance before the Rotary Club, District 55 Superintendent Dr. Billy Strickland noted that Coach Liner has received praise for his teaching skills. Strickland said that LDHS Principal Sonya Bryant said that Coach Liner had remarkable improvement in scores for year-end Algebra I students in his first year at Laurens High.

While Coach Chris Liner has stressed character for his student athletes since his arrival last year, he told Rotarians yesterday about obtaining a Team Chaplain who can provide guidance beyond what he can for the youth. The Coach also called on the community at large to be role models, encouraging our youth. He said “It does take a community to raise children.”

The Sheriff’s Office booked a man Monday morning regarding charges in two courts a year ago. He is 35-old-year-old Antonio Ladrick Jenkins of 495 Gray Drive Extension, Gray Court, also known as “B.O.” Jenkins as served with a General Sessions Bench Warrant regarding an Unlawful Use of 911 case which states he failed to appear to face charges in that matter on August 29th, 2014. He is to be held pending his next scheduled appearance in General Sessions Court on the Unlawful Use of 911 charge.

Bench Warrants from Laurens County Magistrate’s Court indicate Jenkins was convicted of Domestic Violence in the 3rd Degree and Malicious Damage on August 4, 2014. Judge Glenda Tucker sentenced him to 30 days on each count, or fines totaling $4,280. Antonio Jenkins remains in the Johnson Detention Center.

Warrants were served yesterday on a Gray Court man arrested Sunday by Laurens Police in a ‘Hit and Run” case. 63-year-old Arthur Lee “Pee Wee” Turner of 1089 Friendship Church Road, Gray Court is charged with Driving under the Influence, Hit and Run with Property Damage and with Driving under Suspension. Warrants state that an investigation of Sgt. Thibodeau indicates that on August 23rd Arthur Lee Turner operated a motor vehicle on Church Street while under the influence of intoxicating substances, that he was involved in a motor vehicle collision with property damage and failed to stop as required by law and that he was driving while his License to Drive was under Suspension. Cash or surety bonds were set at $15,000 on the Hit and Run charge, $2,267 on the DUI .16 or higher and $652 on the Driving under Suspension. Arthur Lee Turner remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

The theft of a power auger valued at $3,500 from a Lake Greenwood property was reported to the Sheriff’s Office yesterday. Deputy Sibley responded to Mansfield Park Campground on Pittman’s Landing Drive, Cross Hill at 8:49 am after the power auger attachment for a tractor was found missing from its storage place.

An Attempted Burglary was reported at another Lake Greenwood location yesterday afternoon. Deputy Sibley responded to Indigo Point, Waterloo at 3:06 pm, where the resident reported that sometime between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm yesterday someone attempted to break into a smaller building on the property which is an apartment with a one-car garage. A window near a front door to the apartment was found broken in the attempt to enter the building. Damage was estimated as $250. The case remains under active investigation.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Carter responded to Station 16 of the Gray Court Area Fire Department on Dove Road around 9:00 yesterday morning to investigate a case of items taken from the fire station. A Halligan tool was apparently taken from the rear driver’s compartment of Fire Truck 1601 which was in the bay of the fire station. A DeWalt Sawzall was missing from a work bench in the bay. Also missing from the bay was a red Honda generator. Total estimated value of the items taken was $1,186. The items were reportedly discovered missing on August 18th. The case was not initially determined to involve a burglary.

A man arrested late Sunday night was charged yesterday with a domestic assault in Clinton. 30-year-old Elwin Thomas McCormick of 120 Poplar Street, Clinton was charged with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree and with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Public Safety Officer Harris states that on August 23rd the defendant ripped the victim’s shirt, causing redness about the right side of her chest, and threatened her, causing reasonable fear of imminent peril. The defendant has lived with the victim in an amorous relationship for the past year, and has been convicted of Domestic Assault in Oklahoma within the past ten years.

Officer Harris issued a citation on McCormick citing Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 11:38 Sunday night at 120 Poplar Street, Lydia Mill.

A $25,000 cash or surety bond was set on the 2nd Degree Domestic Violence charge, while a $420 Personal Recognizance bond was set on the Paraphernalia charge. Elwin Thomas McCormick remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

The annual PC Party on the Square is this evening in Downtown Clinton. The annual welcoming of students to town includes students of Presbyterian College and the PC School of Pharmacy. This year’s event features the PC Pep Band, Cheerleaders, the Blue Hose Football Team and new Scotsman.

Each year merchants and local organizations are invited to set up booths and participate in the welcome. This year’s PC Party on the Square is from 6:00 to 8:00 this evening.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on Attempted Murder charges yesterday in connection with a shooting seven days before in the Youngs Community. 27-year-old Daniel Martin “D” Hicks of 277 West Hagne Road, Woodruff is charged with Attempted Murder, Discharging a Weapon into a Dwelling and with Possession of a Weapon during a Violent Crime. A warrant cites the investigation of Corporal Brent Rushing as indicating that on August 17th Daniel Martin Hicks discharged a firearm many times at the victim in an attempt to murder or kill the victim, and that this occurred on Robert Harris Road, Gray Court. Hicks is accused of intentionally discharging a firearm at or into a dwelling that was occupied by a person or persons, and of knowingly and willfully possessing and displaying a firearm during commission of a violent crime. Bond was denied on all three charges. Daniel Martin Hicks of Woodruff remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

District 55 Nutrition Director Wanda Knight reported the success of the District 55 summer feeding program, which she said served a total of 26,196 meals this summer. The federally-funded program was open to all family members of those who qualify for free meals. Ms. Knight said the United States Department of Agriculture provided $70,000, which paid for all the food, supplies, and employee salaries used for the program. She added “Our program is growing each and every year, I truly appreciate the support of the trustees and employees of our district.”

5,882 students were recorded on the first day of school for School District 55 this month. Superintendent Dr. Billy Strickland told the School Board last night that this is 63 more students that on the opening day of school last year. The August meeting of the District 55 Trustees was held in the District Office.

FLEX Time is coming to Clinton High School……….and soon.

At last night’s meeting of the Laurens County District 56 School Board, Clinton High School Principal Maureen Tiller presented the Trustees with information about FLEX time. She explained that some students do not have the flexibility in their day to be able to access everything Clinton High has to offer. Perhaps they travel to and from school by bus and after school extracurricular activities don’t fit with the bus schedule. She said some may not have been made aware of all the special events and activities available at Clinton High School.

Enter FLEX Time…….a sort of rearranging of the school day. Each morning during this school year FLEX time begins at 0740 during breakfast. Breakfast will actually be served at three locations around the school. A hot, traditional breakfast will be served in the school cafeteria while two breakfast kiosks -in the gym and another, a coffee bar, in the media center – will provide ‘grab and go’ breakfast items. The may include a Danish, a yogurt or a granola bar.

Students can take that ‘grab and go’ breakfast as they participate in the FLEX Time schedule for the day. That can include various meetings of clubs and organizations like the Beta Club, Student Council, Science Olympiad, FFA, etc. FLEX Time will begin when breakfast begins each day at 7:40 and runs until 0840.

Ms. Tiller told the District 56 Trustees last evening that involvement in a variety of school activities has been found to play a large part in a student’s positive attitude about school, their identification with their school and both of those contribute to the student’s eventual academic success.

FLEX Time begins next Tuesday for students in the 10th through 12th grades and on Monday September 14th for 9th grade.

If you’d like to know more about FLEX Time, check out the full program at: http://www.lcsd56.org/cms/lib2/SC01000810/Centricity/Domain/41/FLEX%20Time%20Explanation.doc

Road repairs on Fairview Road in Laurens County between Highway 101 and Greenville County ended a couple of weeks ago. That was the last time the Liberty Asphalt company had observed their $3700 value Solartech Silent Sentinel Directional Traffic Sign. The company called the Sheriff’s Office to 101 at Fairview north of Hickory Tavern yesterday to report it stolen. They realized it had been stolen when the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office told them the sign had been recovered….in the Saluda River near Pelzer. Greenville County confirmed the sign was recovered, but someone had removed the batteries, a solar panel and a control box from the sign.

The Sheriff’s Office arrested 53-year-old Charles Bradley Couch of 135 Smith Street Extension, Ware Shoals yesterday morning. He was charged with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree. Deputy Noble states that on August 15th the defendant intentionally struck the victim on his face. Mr. Couch was later released on a $470 personal recognizance bond.

The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested a man who lives between Gray Court and Hickory Tavern with making annoying phone calls to Gray Court Owings School one week earlier. 32-year-old Patrick Garrett Strickland of 153 Wildwood Farms Road, Gray Court is charged with Unlawful Telephone Communication. Deputy Todd Alexander states that on August 18th Strickland used profane, obscene, vulgar and/or indecent language in a telephone communication with Gray Court Owings School, repeatedly, for the purpose of annoying or harassing the school. Patrick Strickland was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, pending arraignment on the charge today.

South Carolina Probation and Parole yesterday arrested 31-year-old Joseph Shane Simmons of 307 Gordon Street, Clinton and charged him with Violation of Probation. Simmons is accused of failing to follow his agent’s instructions, including failures to maintain gainful employment, to refrain from use of controlled substances, to attend and complete anger management classes as ordered by the court and failing to make required payments. A $40,000 cash or surety bond was set. Joseph Simmons remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.