The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Laurens man yesterday on four drug charges for alleged violations yesterday and in September. 31-year-old Joseph Willie Redd of 105 East Hampton Street, Laurens is charged with two counts of Drug Manufacture or Distribution and two counts of Drug Trafficking. Narcotics Investigator Matt Veal states that on September 3^rd Willie Redd did knowingly and without authorization distribute crack cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Other warrants alleged that on December 23^rd Joseph Willie Redd did knowingly sell, manufacture, deliver or possess 10 grams or more of cocaine without authority at 177 Sherman Drive and that he possessed marijuana with intent to distribute, also yesterday at 177 Sherman Drive.  There was another charge of possession 10 grams or more of cocaine at 177 Sherman Drive. Willie Redd remained in the Johnson Detention Center overnight, with a bond hearing expected today.

 A Greenwood man was arrested yesterday for allegedly assaulting a woman in Laurens County twice last week, on two consecutive days. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday booked 50-year-old Anthony Ray Crowe of 103 Pinion Road, Greenwood and charged him with two counts of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature. He was also charged with three weapons violations in connection with the 1^st alleged assault. These charges are: Pointing and Presenting a Weapon, Possession of a Weapon during Commission of a Violent Crime and Possession of a Stolen Weapon.

  Deputy Timothy Byrd states that on December 15^th Anthony Ray Crowe did knowingly and willfully cause injury to a member of his household. He allegedly used a deadly weapon in the commission of the assault and/or caused or attempted to cause injury to a member of his household. The warrant states the assault was aggravated in that he pointed a shotgun at the victim. The pointing of the weapon allegedly occurred at a location on TV Tower Road, Ware Shoals. Another warrant states that Crowe was in possession of a stolen shotgun during this incident on December 15^th.

  The second charge of Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature allegedly occurred the following day, on December 16^th and also at the same location on TV Tower Road in Western Laurens County. Deputy Byrd states that Anthony Ray Crowe caused injury to a member of his household during this incident and that it was aggravated in that he kicked the door down and was threatening.

   1^st Degree Burglary charges were served yesterday on a suspect who had been arrested Sunday by the Sheriff’s Office. 17-year-old Joshua Keith McAlister of 3293 ByPass 127, Laurens was charged with Burglary 1^st Degree and with Breach of Trust. Deputy Carter states that on December 21^st McAlister did enter a dwelling on Jared Drive, Laurens without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein. He allegedly entered the dwelling and once inside armed himself with a pistol. The second warrant states that on December 22^nd Joshua Keith McAlister did by false pretenses obtain $30 in cash from someone for a stolen pistol with intent to cheat and defraud the victim. This allegedly occurred on Camp Street in Laurens.

Bond was denied yesterday during arraignment. Joshua McAlister remained in the Johnson Detention Center.

   The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two men and two women on charges of Unlawful Conduct toward a Child. In both cases, the abuse allegedly occurred on Sunday, or on days through Sunday. 

  The first couple was arrested Sunday. 21-year-old Keith Lamar Freeman Jr. and 23-year-old Shayana A. Truitt, both of 4474 Harris Springs Road, Cross Hill were both charged with Two Counts of Unlawful Conduct toward a Child. Deputy McMahan states that on or about December 22^nd Keith Freeman Jr. and Shayana Truitt did place at unreasonable risk of harm or did cause to be done unlawfully or maliciously any bodily harm to or abandonment of a minor child. Each defendant reportedly had charge of the two minor children. Freeman and Pruitt were held for warrants, which were served yesterday. However, jail records indicate a bond hearing was to be held today.

   Yesterday, the Sheriff’s Office arrested another Cross Hill Couple, also charging each of them with Two Counts of Unlawful Conduct toward a Child. 25-year-old Timothy Allen “Tim” Nichols and 26-year-old Heather Deloris Nichols reside at 1090 Amber Hill Circle, Cross Hill. Warrants served on them yesterday state that between December 18^th and 22^nd Tim and Heather Nichols placed at unreasonable risk of harm or did cause to be done unlawfuly or maliciously any bodily harm to a minor child. Each defendant had custody and/or charge of the minor child and is the child’s parent or guardian.

 Bonds were set at $10,000 on each count of Child Neglect. Both Tim and Heather Nichols remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning with Surety bonds totaling $20,000.

   Clinton Public Safety units responded to Elizabeth Street at 3:06 Christmas morning on a domestic altercation. As they approached a residence a woman came out into the cold weather without shoes. She was apparently upset and concerned about her husband upstairs with their 16-month-old child. Officers Lawton, Byers and Lt. Jones approached the stairway and went up to check. They reportedly were told that the husband had argued with the wife and had allegedly assaulted her. When his sister came to her rescue, she was also allegedly assaulted. Officers arrested 22-year-old Charlie Jovanny Hernandez Lobation of 616 Elizabeth Street, Clinton. Tickets were issued charging him with Criminal Domestic Violence and with Simple Assault. He was placed in the Johnson Detention Center, and released yesterday on bonds of $2150 and $500.

  Clinton Public Safety was dispatched to Cypress Street at 4:51 Tuesday afternoon on a disturbance report. A woman indicated she had been next door when she was physically thrown out of that residence by a man whom she said had been her boyfriend until recently, when she found him talking with another woman. A man at one of the houses reportedly said he witnessed the subject shove the victim down the steps, and that he then came to his residence and began threatening and cursing him and his wife. Officer Metz noted observing injury to the victim. Officers talked with the boyfriend, then placed him under arrest. 42-year-old David Timothy Ball of 185 Cypress Street, Clinton was charged with Criminal Domestic Violence in a ticket issued at 5:08 pm. Ball was placed in the Johnson Detention Center yesterday, and released later in the day on posting a surety bond of $2,150.

  Sheriff’s Lt. Robbie Haupfear responded to a Gray Court address yesterday afternoon on a domestic incident. He arrested 44-year-old McKenzie Pitts of 1238 Cheek Road, Gray Court on a charge of Criminal Domestic Violence. A ticket was issued on the charge at 2:30 yesterday afternoon. McKenzie Pitts was held in the Johnson Detention Center overnight, pending arraignment on the charge today.

    The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of a person in the murder of Andrenna Butler, 72 of Newberry, SC. Ms. Butler was found unresponsive in her home by a friend on Saturday December 21, 2013.
  76-year-old Charles Butler of 305 East McKinley Street Chambersburg, PA was arrested Monday night by the Chambersburg Police Department on a warrant from Newberry County for the murder of his estranged wife. Butler is being held on those warrants awaiting extradition hearings.
  Newberry County Coroner Craig Newton has announced that Ms. Butler died as the result of a single gunshot wound to the head with the manner of death being a homicide.
   Sheriff Lee Foster said that the warrant was obtained after an exhaustive investigation by the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office, SLED and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Investigating officers used a variety of forensic techniques to tie Butler to the crime scene in Newberry County and the murder of his estranged wife. They had been married for over 50 years prior to their separation and his moving to Pennsylvania.
  Once the extradition process is completed, the defendant will be returned to Newberry County for court proceedings. Solicitor David Stumbo and the Eighth Circuit Solicitor’s Office will be the prosecuting agency.
   According to Sheriff Foster, this was an isolated incident which was the result of a domestic issue stemming from the separation. The community is not in any danger.
   Sheriff Foster credits the long, hard work of investigating officers and forensic crime scene personnel with the quick resolution of this case.

   There have been more arrests from alleged drug activity on Hunters Court. Laurens City Police on Monday arrested 35-year-old Peachanna Cunningham of 105 Hunter’s Court, Laurens on a charge of Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute.

Patrolman Ashley states an investigation by Detective Tony Lynch and Lt. Don Evans indicates that Peachanna Cunningham did have constructive possession of approximately 4.5 grams of crack cocaine, consisting of 28 crack cocaine rocks. This allegedly occurred Monday at 105 Hunter’s Court.

Conspiracy to Forgery – Clinton Public Safety Detective Tyrone Goggins states that Ms. Cunningham conspired with another woman to cash a forged check made payable to another female for $500. This took place at 410 West Main on August 1^st, 2013.

A $10,000 Surety bond was set on the drug charge from Laurens. A $5,000 personal recognizance bond was set on the Clinton charge. Peachanna Cunningham remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

  In another arrest from Monday’s activity, Laurens City Police charged 34-year-old Carvarggio Shernard Turner of 2014 Duncan Creek Church Road, Laurens with Possession of Crack Cocaine. A warrant again cities investigation of Detective Lynch and Lt. Evans and indicating that Cavarggio Turner had constructive possession of crack cocaine located in the residence at 105 Hunter’s Court in Laurens on Monday, December 23^rd. Mr. Turner was released from the Johnson Detention Center Christmas Day on posting a $2,500 bond.

   A huge fire lit up the sky late last night on Laurens’ Exchange Drive. The Laurens Fire Department was dispatched to Laurens Villa at 11:22 last night, about the time Laurens Police Officers transporting a subject on Exchange Drive observed flames from Laurens Villa visible through the trees. The Laurens County Fire Department also responded to fight the flames leaping from Building One at Laurens Villa.

  The Red Cross reportedly arrived on the scene to aid the eight families put out of their residence on Christmas night.

   Fire damage was reported in three of the apartments, with smoke and water damage in all eight units.

   A Laurens County Emergency Response team established a center nearby at the Jaycee Building during the height of the emergency.

  Laurens Firefighters were dispatched back to Laurens Villa around 4 this morning to put out hot spots which had created concern.

 Clinton Public Safety responded to the Northwest side of town at 4:27 yesterday afternoon on a report that a woman had been caught by her husband in the home with her paramour, and that the male spouse had a gun pointed at his wife. Officer Doug Richardson arrived in two minutes and observed the husband sitting on the porch. He was searched and no weapon was found. He said his wife was refusing to let him in. Her male friend was inside sitting on the living room couch. He reportedly said he wasn’t going anywhere. The officer searched the home and did not locate any firearm. Each indicated they were staying and would be OK. The officer stayed close by after departing the house and all appeared to be calm.

   Items valued at over $40,000 were reportedly stolen from a Cross Hill home yesterday. Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Paterson was dispatched at 4:12 pm and spoke with a resident of Skipper’s Lodge Road about the break-in. She indicated that she returned home and noticed someone had taken the safe from her bedroom. On that discovery, she left the house until an officer arrived. $10,000 in cash, including valuable collector coins were in the safe, along with important papers and jewelry with a value of $30,000. A Smith and Wesson .38 caliber snub nose pistol was taken from a night stand beside her bed. Another fire arm, a TV and other valuables had not been taken. The theft reportedly occurred since 11 yesterday morning.

  Jewelry, firearms, computers, televisions and other items valued at $35,000 were reported stolen yesterday from a Laurens area home. A man who was stopping by to feed the dogs for the residents called in a report of finding a window broken from the back side of the Lakeview Road, Laurens home and a sliding glass door open. Deputy Jamison Taylor responded at 5:05 pm. The owner was contacted by phone and a family member arrived to assist in determining what was taken. A report notes that 3 lap-top computers, two televisions and other electronic items were taken. Jewelry missing was valued at $15,000. It was thought the break-in occurred sometime after 5:30 pm Christmas day. Lt. Danny Bolt was assigned to investigate both break-ins.

   The American Red Cross of the Western Carolinas reported it was back yesterday with case workers assisting persons displaced by the fire at Laurens Villas late Tuesday night.

The fire displaced eleven adults and eight children from the eight apartments in Building One. Six trained disaster volunteers were on the scene at the apartments assisting the displaced residents with immediate emergency needs early Christmas morning, including temporary shelter, food, clothing, medications, eye glasses and emotional support.  Trained Red Cross caseworkers were back on the scene yesterday at Laurens Villa Apartments to continue working with families and help in their recovery.  The caseworkers were to be meeting with each family to help them secure affordable housing and other needed household items.  The American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle has also been dispatched to the scene to provide feeding support including serving lunch yesterday. Red Cross was also coordinating with area churches and community groups to secure toys for children ranging in age from 7 months to 15 years old.

  Since January 1, 2013, the American Red Cross of the Western Carolinas notes it has responded to 632 disasters in the region, providing assistance to people during their time of need.  While working with the families from the Laurens Villa Apartment fire, the Red Cross is also responding to five other fires in the region including three fires in Spartanburg County, one in Cherokee County, and a duplex fire in Greenville County.

  “We are able to be there for people in our communities day and night thanks to our dedicated volunteers and our generous financial donors,” said Ann Wright, Regional CEO. “We simply could not provide the comfort and care for those who have suffered a fire or other disaster without those who help with their time, talent, and treasure.”

  The work of the American Red Cross is made possible by donations. Donations can be made by visiting redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions can also be sent by mail to a local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross via P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

 The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday made a drug distribution arrest citing an undercover operation this fall. 24-year-old Twyman Kyle Case of 711 Whitmire Highway, Joanna was charged with Distribution of Methamphetamine.  In a warrant served yesterday, Narcotics Investigator Matt Veal states that on October 28^th Twyman Case distributed a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant of the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. A Cash or Surety bond was set at $25,000. Twyman Case remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

 A Whitmire woman died Christmas night following a one-vehicle wreck in Laurens County earlier in the evening. The  Highway Patrol states she was driving a 1966 Chevrolet pickup westbound on SC Highway 66 3.8 miles east of Joanna when she ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a traffic sign and a guy wire and overturned, striking a tree. She was entrapped in the truck and had to be extracted by mechanical means. She was initially transported by ambulance to GHS Laurens County Memorial Hospital, but transferred by helicopter to Greenville, where she died shortly after arrival. Laurens County Coroner Nick Nichols identified the deceased as 58-year-old Rebecca Revels Mars of 406 Main Street, Whitmire. She was pronounced dead at 7:52 pm Wednesday night. Nichols said she died of blunt force trauma to her head and chest.

Ms. Mars was reportedly alone in the truck when it crashed.

     The parade formerly known as the “Red Neck Parade” has been rescheduled again. The initial date for this year’s Mount Olive Christmas Parade early in December was delayed until the Sunday before Christmas; but the weather turned bad for then, too, so the parade was renamed the Mount Olive Christmas and New Year’s Parade and set for this Sunday, the 29^th.

 Now, however, a 100% chance of rain Sunday has forced a third reschedule and the parade is to be tomorrow afternoon. So – take note – the Mount Olive Christmas & New Year’s Parade is now scheduled to begin at 4 pm tomorrow afternoon. The Parade will begin on Indian Mound Road near Mount Olive Church. Entries in the parade are still welcome. There is no entry fee but participants are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to be donated to the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office for distribution to those in need.

 Again – the Mount Olive Parade has been rescheduled (again) and it is to begin tomorrow – Saturday, December 28^th – at 4 pm.

   Bonds totaling $87,000 were set yesterday on several charges served on a man who was a passenger in a car stopped during a Laurens Safety Checkpoint New Year’s Eve.

   28-year-old Jerome Edward Morton of 396 South Harper Extension, Laurens was riding in a Ford Crown Victoria which stopped at a checkpoint on East Farley Avenue at 11:17 Tuesday night. He was charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine after police allegedly found a clear plastic bag containing four rocks of the substance in his possession. Meanwhile, Laurens Police had several outstanding warrants from previous alleged activities. Jerome Morton was charged with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute and Possession with Intent within Proximity of a School. He was also charged with Pointing and Presenting a Weapon and with Theft of Electric Utilities. With bonds totaling $87,000, Morton remained in the Johnson Detention Center.

  The driver of the car in which Morton was a passenger was also arrested. 21-year-old Johnny Lee Pyles of 620 Church Street, Laurens was charged with being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm after officers allegedly found a .380 caliber handgun under the driver’s seat that contained six rounds in the magazine. During arraignment yesterday, bond on the Weapons charge was set at $25,000. Johnny Pyles also remained in the Johnson Detention Center.

    Tools valued at $5,000 were reportedly taken from a business location on Old Laurens Road, Gray Court at or near an industrial plant construction site at Owings Industrial Park yesterday morning. Sheriff’s Corporal Jimmy Johnson was dispatched to the location at 11:33 am and met with an on-site security officer who told of discovering a cut in the back fence during his 11 am walk-around that was not there an hour before. He also noticed that a door to one of four storage rooms was open. Further checks located another new cut in the fence just in front of a water tank truck.  

   Lt. Cheek arrived as the investigation continued. Screws that hold up panels of the storage building were reportedly found lying on the ground by the roll-up door. An assessment of inventory indicated that Craftsman and Snap-on tools were missing from the building.

    Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Rushing was dispatched to 51 Hue Circle, Fountain Inn at 9:26 last night to investigate a Burglary at that location. He met with the resident, who indicated someone had entered his locked residence while he was away between Noon Tuesday and 9:15 last night. He noted items taken included two televisions, a Samsung Galaxy cell phone and several pieces of jewelry. Total value of the items stolen was set at $1,513. The burglary case was forwarded to Investigator McIntosh. The resident filing the report was 21-year-old Shawn Michael Head, who had been arrested on Hue Circle Tuesday afternoon following an incident at another location near Fountain Inn late Tuesday morning. He was charged with three counts of Pointing and Presenting a Firearm, plus with Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Crack Cocaine. On booking in the Johnson Detention Center New Year’s Eve, another address was listed. During arraignment yesterday bonds of $5,000 were set on each of the five charges. Shawn Head was released on posting surety bonds totaling $25,000 yesterday.

  Over the New Year’s Holiday Clinton Public Safety continued to receive complaints about juveniles with fireworks. Another kind of fireworks erupted yesterday after Laurens City Police were dispatched to Jackson Street late morning on a report that a child had thrown lit fireworks onto the fabric roof of a convertible, damaging the rooftop.  

  Officer James Nolen noted damage to the convertible’s fabric roof appeared to be freshly committed. It was determined a 10-year-old boy had thrown the fireworks from a neighbor’s house. As the officer talked with the adults involved, the child’s mother began to argue with the victim. At one point she reportedly began to walk towards the victim’s house across the street and she was placed in investigative custody.

  Officer Nolen advised the child’s mother and grandmother that they should better supervise the child so that he doesn’t damage property of others. He advised the car owner to get an estimate on repair of the vehicle to the child’s mother as soon as possible so she could pay for repairs.

 The Laurens County Museum has two fund-raising efforts now underway designed to accomplish goals that could potentially make the museum a magnate to draw visitors to the county. The Museum’s Board of Directors is seeking $750,000 to renovate a Main Street building for much larger museum on the Public Square, while another effort is well along to raise $100,000 for a collection of Native American Artifacts.

  Regarding that effort, the Museum’s Board of Directors is hosting a reception this Sunday in honor of Dr. Robert Crawford, a collector of Native American artifacts. Dr. Crawford, a resident of Salisbury, North Carolina, has gathered a collection of artifacts that has tremendous scientific and archeological value.

  The reception is open to the public and will begin at 3 p.m. at the Laurens County Museum at 205 West Laurens Street in Laurens.

  Dr. Crawford is working with the Museum’s Board of Directors to transfer his Native Artifact Collection for permanent display at the Laurens County Museum. The Board has begun a campaign to raise the funds needed for the purchase of Dr. Crawford’s collection.

  Dr. Crawford collected his Native American Artifacts from property that he owns on the Yadkin River near Salisbury. The property has been in Dr. Crawford’s family since it was granted by the King of England. The Collection consists of more than 300 frames with multiple projectile points in each frame, many large wall cabinets containing all types of projectile points, bowls and pots, buttons, bones and shell-work, effigy pots, grooved axes and pipes.

  The Laurens County Museum is purchasing the Crawford Native American Artifact Collection because of its intrinsic historical value and also to establish a “destination collection” that will attract visitors and scholars from outside Laurens County to the Museum.

  The Crawford Collection will eventually be housed in the new headquarters for the Laurens County Museum on the south side of the Public Square in downtown Laurens.

  Again – The reception for Robert Crawford will begin at 3 p.m. at the Laurens County Museum at 205 West Laurens Street in Laurens.

 Laurens City Police Officer Charles Simmons was conducting property checks on the east side of the building at 15 minutes after midnight this morning when he discovered that two more air conditioning units have been stolen from behind the vacant building next to Hibbett sports. This makes five units taken from this location in the past week. Three units had been discovered stolen on Christmas Eve. 

The theft from 919 East Main Street was valued at $5,000.