A young Laurens County man was being held without bond for allegedly assaulting and attempting to kidnap a girlfriend this weekend. 21-year-old Brent Joseph Koon of 2846 Ekom Beach Road, Laurens was arrested Saturday and charged with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree and Kidnapping.

Warrants that cite an investigation by Deputy McLain indicate that one Brent Joseph Koon committed Domestic Violence 2nd Degree and Kidnapping in Laurens County Saturday, April 15th. The Domestic Violence allegedly occurred by his striking the victim all over her body and dragging her across the floor, causing her to go to the hospital for a closed head injury and multiple contusions. The Kidnapping warrant states that Mr. Koon unlawfully confined the victim and attempted to abduct her by sitting on her and not allowing her to leave, and by attempting to force her into a vehicle. This allegedly took place at the victim’s residence in or near Clinton. No bond was granted during arraignment. Brent Joseph Koon remained in custody this morning.

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A wreck last week claimed the life of a Mountville man. Laurens County Coroner Nick Nichols this morning said that 44-year-old Brian Nutting of 219 Singing Pines Road, Mountville was pronounced dead as of 1:06 on the afternoon on Thursday, April 13^th. Nichols said that Mr. Nutting was driving his 2004 red Dodge pickup at the intersection of Lisbon Road and Burnt Mill Creek Road when he lost control and the pickup flipped several times, taking down a power pole in the process. Nichols said that Brian Nutting was thrown from his pickup, and landing some 50 to 60 feet from the truck. He was pronounced dead as of 12:42 Thursday afternoon. Nichols said an autopsy confirmed that Brian Nutting died of blunt force trauma.

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A Gray Court area resident was killed this morning after the bicycle he was riding was struck by a pickup truck. Laurens County Coroner Nick Nichols said that 22-year-old Zahria Mahmoud Abozahri of 102 Dad’s Place, Gray Court was pronounced dead as of 7:10 this morning. Abozahri was riding a bicycle on Highway 101 north of Gray Court, about half-a-mile from reaching Interstate 385, when the fatal collision occurred.

Lance Corporal David Jones of the Highway Patrol said the fatal incident occurred as the bicyclist was headed north on Highway 101, near Postell Hughes Road, and was struck by a 2005 Chevy truck being driven by Michael Tinsley of Laurens. Tinsley was not injured in the incident. Trooper Jones said the fatal collision occurred around 6:30 this morning. He said a MAIT team was investigating the wreck.

Coroner Nichols said that an autopsy was being conducted, but it appears clear that Zahria Mahmoud Abozahri died of blunt force trauma from his bicycle being struck by the vehicle.

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Two males were being held in detention this morning following their arrests yesterday on charges that included noting being truthful to a law enforcement officer.

Laurens City police late yesterday afternoon arrested 44-year-old Cecil Edward “Eddie” Smith of 10447 Highway 101, South, Gray Court. Tickets issued by Sgt. Jones and Detective Kanipe charged Smith with Driving without a License and Giving False Information to Law Enforcement at 5:45 yesterday afternoon at or near the intersection of Sullivan and Academy Streets. “Eddie” Smith was held overnight in the Laurens County Detention Center, pending a bond hearing.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday booked 17-year-old Brently Kyle Brewington of 1121 Narnie Road, Laurens and served him with a warrant charging him with Giving False Report to Law Enforcement. In the warrant, Sheriff’s Sgt. Farrah Cook states that on March 13th 2017 the defendant gave false information to a law enforcement officer by giving written and verbal statements that he removed cash from the victim’s wallet, but that it was later determined that he conspired with another person to cash a state refund check in order to obtain the victim’s funds. Brewington was then released on a $465 personal recognizance bond.

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Two males were charged yesterday, each in connection with two assaults. In one case, two people were allegedly assaulted the night before; in the other, charges included one assault over 12 years ago.

A Gray Court area man was charged yesterday for alleged assaults late Sunday night at his residence. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office had arrested 32-year-old Richard Allen Sutton Jr. showing an address at 260 Nutaker, Gray Court. Jail records indicate that he was charged yesterday with Domestic Violence and Assault and Battery, both in 3rd Degree, in connection with alleged assaults on a Greenwood female and on a member of his family. With cash or surety bonds set totaling $10,465, Richard Allen Sutton Jr. remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning.

Laurens City Police arrested a Enoree man yesterday morning on charges alleging two domestic assaults in town over the past over the past 12-plus years. 45-year-old Gary Betsill of 161 Horseshoe Falls Road, Enoree was charged with two counts of Domestic Violence. In the oldest warrant, the victim stated that the defendant punched her about 3 or 4 times on the left side of her face on December 16, 2004. The second warrant states that on October 27th of 2013 the defendant struck the same victim in the face, causing injury, during an argument. It states this occurred on Price Street, and that the defendant and victim have three children in common.

Gary Betsill was released yesterday afternoon on two $1,000 cash or surety bonds.

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Multiple charges from local law enforcement agencies were cited yesterday as the South Carolina Department of Pardon, Probation and Parole served a warrant charging Violation of Probation on 24-year-old Marquidris Antonio Cunningham Jr. of 814 Broad Street, Clinton. Cunningham had been released on Probation under provisions of the Youthful Offenders Act. He is accused of failing to follow his agent’s instructions. Failures cited included failing to refrain from violating the law. Specifics cited included Clinton City charges for alleged Possession of Drugs with Intent to Distribute and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Sheriff’s Office charges of Drug Trafficking and more Clinton Public Safety charges including Burglary 3rd Degree and Breaking into an Auto. He’s also accused of failing to seek and obtain gainful employment and failure to refrain from use of controlled substances.

Marquidris Antonio Cunningham Jr. was being referred to a General Sessions Judge with a recommendation of a $75,000 cash or surety bond for the charge. Cunningham remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning.

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Middle School Curriculum is the topic for a sub-committee of the District 55 Facilities Projects Advisory Committee this evening. The Curriculum Subcommittee meets at 6:00 P.M. in the Teaching and Learning Department Conference Room of the District 55 Administrative Office. The committee chair is Chris England. Committee discussion this evening is to include Curriculum offerings… Read More »

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The Laurens Location of USC-U is having Open House this afternoon from 3:00 until 6:00. The Director of the Laurens location, Matt Dean, said they’re hoping to increase community awareness about what the University of South Carolina offers in Laurens, “and we also want to offer opportunities for potential students to come in and do as much as they can in one day. Everything from applying to getting financial aid to possibly registering for classes, if they have all their items.”

Matt Dean said the festivities today include a cookout, a tour of facilities and a chance to talk with the staff at the Laurens Location.

Dean also said the Laurens facility can help local residents get even a four-year degree locally. “They can do everything locally, from starting straight out from High School.  We even serve a bunch of High School students in Laurens County. But also for returning adults, for students who’ve maybe already finished an Associate’s Degree and need a bachelor’s for their job or furthering their career. So we do a lot of completion programs right there in Laurens through the Palmetto College.”

Open House at USC-U’s Laurens Location is from 3:00 until 6:00 this afternoon.

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The 2017 ACC Men’s Golf Championship is being held this weekend in Laurens County at the Musgrove Mill Golf Course. The City of Clinton is offering several special events for folks staying in town for the Tournament.

This morning on WLBG, City Manager Administrative Assistant Amanda Addison noted special events include the PC Jazz Band in concert in a Musgrove Street restaurant Thursday evening at 7:00…..the Laurens Trolley transporting visitors from hotels on the north side of town into downtown and back from 10 am until 2 pm Friday, and a special Town Rhythms performance at 7:00 Saturday night as “The Shag Doctorz” take the stage at the Depot.

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During the summer of 2015 Laurens County experienced an extended heat wave and utility bills, particularly in Clinton, skyrocketed.  At a public meeting in August of that year the city presented a plan to address those high bills.  A part of that plan was to conduct an independent Cost of Service Study to compare the true cost of utility service in Clinton to the rates being charged and to adjust those rates accordingly.

One aspect of this endeavor was to make the various services become self-sufficient.  For many years Clinton’s electric utility has subsidized other city services, but with the extremely high electric bills being paid by city residents, that practice was deemed no longer tolerable.

At a meeting of Clinton City Council last night council heard from Steve Shurbutt of GDS Associates in Atlanta.  Mr. Shurbutt presented the results of an extensive study into all utility costs incurred by the city and the rates charged in the city of Clinton.  The report also recommends changes to the rating structure.

The good news….he says electric rates should come down and stop subsidizing other utility departments.

The bad news….the cost for other parts of the average utility bill would increase, some of them significantly, if the plan is adopted. Water rates in particular will experience an increase approaching 50%.

Doing some quick math, Council Member Ronnie Roth commented that after the average reduction in the electric rate and the increase in the water rate are taken into consideration, the result would mean about a $1 increase in the total paid by the average Clinton utility customer.  “That’s just not what people want to hear” he said.

No action was taken on the rate adjustment plan during last night’s meeting.

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We have a report today of a fight in Clinton around 6:00 Sunday evening. Public Safety Officer Devost reported arriving at the location on Highway 56 North. One man indicated he had gotten into an argument with the other and pushed him into a window, causing it to break. The shoved man had lacerations on both hands. The officer also noted the first man had a laceration on his left arm. EMS arrived and treatment one man’s injuries, but the other refused treatment. The officer noted both men appeared to be intoxicated. Neither wanted to press charges, but one did want the other to pay for the window damage. In the end, both men made up and went to bed for the night.

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The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Laurens woman on charges that she attempted to cheat or defraud a Clinton area Waffle House yesterday. 23-year-old Brittany Candida Smith of 114 East Hampton Street, Laurens was charged with Obtaining Signature under False Pretense and with Criminal Conspiracy. Sheriff’s Sgt. Farrah Cook states that Ms. Smith obtained goods valued at $2,000 or less with intent to cheat or defraud the victim. In the Criminal Conspiracy warrant, Sgt. Cook states that Ms. Smith conspired with another person to accomplish the crime of presenting counterfeit money by unlawful means, for goods and services. Brittany Candida Smith was being held overnight, pending a bond hearing today.

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Clinton Public Safety arrested a man for an alleged auto break-in on North Sloan Street yesterday. 43-year-old Timmy Wayne Martin of 136 West Bluford Street, Clinton was charged with Breaking into Motor Vehicle and Possession of Burglary Tools. He is accused of breaking into a motor vehicle by force at 1201 North Sloan Street yesterday, and also of having in his possession a hammer, a chisel and a screwdriver which were used for breaking into a motor vehicle at that location. Cash or surety bonds were set totaling $5,000 on the two charges. Timmy Wayne Martin remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning.

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A book about a subject on the other side of the world has financial importance here in Laurens County. Dr. Ruth Douglas Currie will be at Presbyterian College this afternoon to give a talk on her new book, “Kwajalein Atoll, the Marshall Islands and American Policy in the Pacific.”

The book talk and signing are to benefit the President Emeritus, Dr. Kenneth B. Orr Memorial Endowment for a Faculty Research Fellowship. Revenue from the sales of this book at the event will go directly to the Orr Memorial Endowment. The fund was established last year by Currie to memorialize her late husband, Dr. Ken Orr.

Alex Scull, Director of College Advancement, said  “We are thankful for Dr. Currie’s continued support and interest in the advancement of Presbyterian College.” Scull said “Her willingness to use book sale revenues from this event shows just how important she views the endowment she has created to memorialize her late husband, President Emeritus Dr. Kenneth B. Orr.”

Currie is a professor emerita in the history department at Appalachian State University. She served four years as command historian for the U.S. Army Strategic Defense Command and recently retired as history and political science professor at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C.

The talk and book signing event is free and open to the public. It begins at 5:00 this afternoon in the Chapman Conference Center at PC.

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Last Evening the Laurens District 55 Facilities Projects Advisory Committee’s Curriculum Subcommittee met at the district office to discuss the current needs of middle school students and what could enhance the curriculum, should the $109 Million referendum be improved.

The subcommittee members had researched other districts of comparable and much larger student enrollments to see what their curriculum contained and what programs they had to enrich their student’s education, and to meet various needs.

Some of the areas researched were special need students and severe special need students and how federal regulations determined what the districts can and can’t do.

Other areas discussed included technology centers, culinary arts, graphics, alternative education and career centers.

A student representative from Laurens District 55 High School  shared his experience with overcrowding, especially in regard to the school’s orchestra.

The subject of historical buildings also was mentioned in regard to the Gray Court Owings School, noting it may not be able to be torn down, because of its historical status.

School-to-work programs along with paid and unpaid internships with local businesses were highly favored by the subcommittee.

It was mentioned by Tara Dean that the district now provides student transportation to the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, and that ZF transmissions, is also working with District 55 students.

The future of the referendum and the economic level of the district were discussed, pointing out that since the entire district student body is receiving free lunch, this could be a factor in the approval of the referendum.

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It’s back to the drawing board for a new Clinton City Budget. At Monday’s meeting of Clinton City Council, City Manager Frank Stovall presented the city’s 2017/2018 budget to council for first reading approval.  The presentation of the budget was a little earlier than usual.  Mr. Stovall had explained to council during their March 20th meeting that the draft budget would be ready before the end of March, with first reading in April and second and final reading at the May meeting. This was to allow the city to have the new budget in place prior to the departure of the City Manager.

Stovall explained to council that he could go line by line through the budget if they desired but that much discussion had already occurred about the budget in prior meetings and in the budget workshops held February 6th and 20th. At that point Council Member Ronnie Roth, who was not on council during the budget meetings, questioned how the budget was arrived at.  Mr. Stovall explained the process whereby department heads appeared before council to speak to the needs and projection of expenses in each city department.

Mayor Bob McLean then called for a vote to approve the budget on first reading.  The motion failed by a vote of 5-2. Mayor McLean then stated that he thought council should conduct another budget workshop and asked Mr. Stovall to schedule it.   Stovall suggested that he felt any such workshop should be scheduled for a date after May 5th, which is the effective date of his resignation as City Manager. Council eventually agreed to conduct this additional budget workshop two hours prior to their scheduled meeting on May 8th.

The post Clinton Budget Delayed appeared first on WLBG.

Many representatives from the Laurens County Museum were at Laurens City Council last night as the Museum Association made a request for financial assistance. Mayor John Stankus and Councilman Martin Lowry expressed concern about some of the past funding for the Museum. The Mayor said “The idea of your museum is great, but my concern is that I want any future funding by the city for the museum to be exclusively for purchases in the county and with a detailed report on those purchases.” Councilman Lowry said “The museum wants another $10,000 but in the past there were 4 building permits issued for the museum and 3 out of 4 were for dealings with contractors out of the county.”

Ernie Segars, who was at City Council last night on behalf of the Museum, said that the Museum would comply with the mayor’s requests.

As for the $10,000, Mayor John Stankus said the issue would be taken as information only and would be considered in the final budget talks.

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25-year-old Richard Kevin Lee Jr. of 23 Sirrine Street, Laurens was jailed yesterday and served a Bench Warrant from General Sessions Court. It states he failed to make his initial appearance in court March 24th to face a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance. He’s to be held for his next court appearance.

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The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested 34-year-old Ryan Edward Ericksen of 106 Tarleton Drive, Fountain Inn and charged him with Domestic Violence 3rd Degree for an incident last month in Laurens County. Deputy Crosby states that on March 31st Mr. Ericksen committed 3rd Degree Domestic Violence by slinging and shoving his wife to the ground.  This reportedly caused bruising to her legs and a cut to her left index finger. Ryan Edward Ericksen was being held overnight, pending arraignment today.

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The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office last evening arrested a man in connection with an incident at his residence this past Tuesday. The Laurens County Sheriff’s office charged 69-year-old Dennis John Raber of 504 Peninsula Drive, Laurens with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree.

A warrant citing an investigation by Deputy Turner states that on April 18th the defendant committed 2nd Degree Domestic Violence by backing a car with a driver’s door open, hitting the victim with the open door and knocking her down. The warrant states that the victim suffered multiple abrasions. Dennis John Raber was being held overnight, pending a bond hearing on the charge.

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