Presbyterian College business students scored in the 94th percentile on a national comparative assessment. A news release Friday afternoon noted that students from Presbyterian College’s economics and business administration department took the two-hour ETS Major Field Test in business and scored an average 160.3, compared to a national average of 150.1.

Dr. Suzie Smith, Robert M. Vance professor of business administration and chair of the department, said “We are proud of our students’ high achievements on this national test.” Smith said “It represents one piece of our comprehensive assessment plan designed to ensure that students master a range of important business skills, including business writing and speaking.”

The ETS Major Field Tests are comprehensive undergraduate and MBA outcomes assessments designed to measure the critical knowledge and understanding obtained by students in a major field of study. The Major Field Tests go beyond the measurement of factual knowledge by helping faculty understand students’ ability to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships, and interpret material from their major field of study.

Smith added “PC’s incredible test results are a testament to the hard work and dedication shown by all in the business department and are a true indication of the value of a business degree from PC.”

The post PC Business Students in 94th Percentile appeared first on WLBG.

Summer breaks are important for college students. They’re a time to unwind, have a little fun and focus on more than just school. Still, many like to enjoy their summer while also working on a few credits to help jumpstart their next academic year.

Renae Frazier, Dean of Admissions at Piedmont Tech, said “We welcome guest students who are back home from their main college or university for the summer.” Dean Frazier noted “We offer several options for these students to work on their general education requirements and transfer those classes back to their home institution.” She noted that summer classes for guest students at Piedmont Tech are designed to transfer to colleges and universities throughout South Carolina. Once a PTC application has been submitted and the courses have been approved by the student’s home institution, they can register for classes. “It’s that simple,” said Frazier. “We still have course openings in a variety of formats throughout the summer.”

Tuition starts at under $190 per credit hour. Classes start on May 17th. More information is available thru the Piedmont Tech Office of Admissions at 864-941-8369 or online at www.ptc.edu.

The post Summer Break Studies appeared first on WLBG.

A Laurens woman was arrested this weekend on charges of defrauding another person of $6,000 last year. Laurens City Police arrested 56-year-old Janice M. Taylor of 124 Woodrow Street Saturday and charged her with Breach of Trust and Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult.

Warrants citing an investigation by Laurens Police Sgt. Gainey state that the defendant was entrusted with the victim’s finances, and that between April and August of 2016 she knowingly and willfully defrauded the victim of over $6,000. She is also accused of exploiting the victim by defrauding her of money, knowing the victim was vulnerable due to her age and mental state.

Janice M. Taylor was released from custody yesterday on cash or surety bonds totaling $20,000, pending her appearance in court.

The post Defrauding Vulnerable Adult appeared first on WLBG.

A man from South Carolina’s Pee Dee region is now facing charges from three Upstate law enforcement agencies. On Friday, Laurens City Police charged 27-year-old Tony Darin Hayes II of 710 West Marion Street, Mullins with 2nd Degree Burglary.

Detective Kanipe states that an investigation indicates that on December 8th, 2016 Mr. Hayes entered Wal-Mart on East Main Street along with two accomplices with intent to make unlawful entry into a cash register in order to steal currency. They are accused of taking $366 in cash and left the scene in a silver SUV.

Hayes is also facing charges of Petit Larceny from Newberry Police and Burglary/Safecracking in Spartanburg.

Tony Darin Hayes II was released from the Laurens County Detention Center Sunday morning on a $15,000 cash or surety bond.

The post Charges from Laurens, Spartanburg & Newberry appeared first on WLBG.

A man was killed in a two-vehicle crash shortly after leaving his home this morning. The fatal wreck reportedly occurred as he entered the Laurens – Clinton Highway from Barnes Road, near the Laurens County Hospital. South Carolina Highway Patrol Corporal Bill Rhyme said the crash wreck occurred at 7:55 A.M. when an eastbound 2008 Van on Highway 76 and a 1999 Mazda Protégé which had entered the intersection from Barnes Road collided. The occupants of the van were not reportedly injured. The driver of the Mazda was airlifted to Greenville Memorial for Treatment.

Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Vickie Cheek identified the deceased as 56-year-old Stuart Allen Edminsten of 1340 Wilson Drive, Laurens. Edminsten was pronounced dead as of 9:40 this morning. Deputy Coroner Cheek said death was from blunt force trauma to Mr. Edminsten’s chest.

Traffic was detoured for a time following the collision in the intersection.

Corporal Rhyme said that the wreck remained under investigation of the Highway Patrol.

The post Fatal Car Crash on Laurens-Clinton Highway appeared first on WLBG.

The man wanted from a shooting inside a Fountain Inn manufacturing plant last Friday morning is reportedly now in custody. Laurens County Chief Deputy Sheriff Jarvis Reeder today said that David Jerome Butler was taken into custody by authorities from the Simpsonville Police Department. Butler is to be transported to the Laurens County Detention Center. Reeder said a bond hearing is expected to be held here tomorrow.

Butler, noted as a resident of Simpsonville, was named as the suspect in a shooting at the Yan Feng plant on Industrial Drive, Fountain inn before 6:00 last Friday morning.

Two people were located inside the plant with non-life-threatening injuries. After being located, they were transported for medical treatment.

The post Shooting Suspect in Custody appeared first on WLBG.

Click to enlarge & read

Former Laurens County Councilman Jayhue “Jay” Weisner is challenging information presented by the District 55 Administration regarding the proposed $109,000,000 school bond referendum.

The district issued a report last week which reportedly shows the impact of the additional millage that will be required to service the bonds over the lifetime of their 30-year payoff. Details of this analysis were posted on WLBG.com along with a story on the information Tuesday, May 2nd.

Jayhue “Jay” Weisner, a retired Dean with Greenville Technical College, issued a letter to the editor in response to that. He states that the figures are misleading, indicating it shows tax impact for someone with a homestead tax exemption, and noting that many residents do not qualify for that exemption. Weisner said “It’s difficult to understand the reason the District 55 School Board has published such dubious information in regards to teh csot of a $109,000,000 bond referendum. I begin to think they purposely publish deceiving information in an effort to force their desires upon innocent, unsuspecting and trusting citizens of District 55.” Weisner said he’s noticed consistent publishing of erroneous information by the school board in relation to this referendum. He offered to proof read their articles prior to publication.

The letter, written to the editor of the Laurens County Advertiser, is attached.

The post District 55 Bond Impact Questioned appeared first on WLBG.

A woman arrested by Clinton Public Safety Sunday afternoon was released yesterday, after bond was set on three charges. 36-year-old Amanda Lee Putman Stover of 4265 Neely Ferry Road, Laurens was charged following an incident at 105 Willard Road. Public Safety Lt. Stephen Lawton issued tickets charging Ms. Stover with Trespassing, Property Damage and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 4:30 Sunday afternoon. She was released yesterday on personal recognizance bonds totaling $1,500.

The post Sunday Afternoon Incident on Willard Road appeared first on WLBG.

An assault on another woman with pepper spray last Thursday was alleged with an arrest by Clinton Public Safety yesterday. 39-year-old Denise Sherry Conway of 724 Sullivan Street, Laurens was charged with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree. Lt. Lawton states that on May 4th Ms. Conway committed Simple Assault by spraying the victim with pepper spray during the incident on West Pitts Street at Elizabeth Street in Clinton. Denise Sherry Conway was released yesterday on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

The post Pepper Spray Noted in Assault Charge appeared first on WLBG.

A firearms charge was served yesterday following a police chase in the Laurens County portion of Fountain Inn. 23-year-old Zaire Lamond Hewins of 53 Orr Street, Greenville was charged with Failure to Stop for a Blue Light and Possession of a Weapon by a Person Convicted of a Violent Felony. Fountain Inn Officer Kunz states that in Fountain Inn on May 8th the defendant intentionally failed to stop the motor vehicle he was driving when signaled by flashing lights on a law enforcement vehicle, and that he unlawfully transported a Glock 357 firearm and ammunition. A second warrant states that he’s been convicted and classified as a violent felon. Zaire Lamond Hewins remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning with cash or surety bonds totaling $22,500.

The post Police Chase with Unlawfully Carried Pistol appeared first on WLBG.

A 1st Degree Domestic Violence assault back in February and another assault on a woman last week were both alleged yesterday with an arrest by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 37-year-old Therain Phonisha Stoddard Jr. of 5548 Georgia Road, Gray Court was charged with Domestic Violence 1st Degree for the February assault and with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree for an assault last Wednesday.

Deputy Morgan states that on April 27th Stoddard choked the victim about the neck, pushed her to the ground and took her phone as he left her. The 1st Degree Domestic Violence warrant states that Therain Stoddard Jr. has two or more convictions for Domestic Violence in the past ten years, and has been married to the victim of this assault.

A second warrant, which cites an investigation by Officer Morgan, states that on May 3rd Therain Stoddard Jr. assaulted a victim by hitting her in the face at a location on Sullivan Road, Fountain Inn.

Therain Stoddard Jr. was being held overnight, pending a bond hearing today on the two charges.

The post 1st Degree Dometic Violence appeared first on WLBG.

There was a mix of good news and bad news at last night’s Laurens Commission of Public Works Meeting for May. The good news was a rate decrease proposed by the Southeastern Power Administration would result in an estimated annual savings to the CPW of $50,898. In bad news, Administrative Services Director Blake Davis told the commissioners “There is one word to describe our financial picture right now and that is sluggish.”  He said that March showed a consolidated loss of $115,116.00. Davis also said the CPW will have to add another $20,000 for annual expenses due to a new law just signed by Governor Henry McMaster. That increases the employer contributions to the state pension fund by 2 percentage points, bringing it to 13.56%.

The post Good…and Bad News for Laurens CPW appeared first on WLBG.

After a third budget workshop held yesterday afternoon, Clinton City Council was presented with city’s operating budget for the 2017/18 fiscal year during their regularly scheduled meeting last evening.

Interim City Manager Dale Satterfield told council the budget totaled $29,905,942 for the year.  The budget calls for no change in property taxes, a decrease in electric rates, an increase in water and sewer rates and a revenue neutral restructuring of the city’s business licenses.  The budget also contemplates a 2% cost of living pay increase for city employees.

There was opposition to that pay increase.  Councilman Ronnie Roth told Mr. Satterfield that he appreciated the hard work on the budget, but…..“I’m not gonna support the first reading ‘cause I cannot see giving an increase to city employees at the same time increasing utilities on the people of this town.”

Dale Satterfield explained that the 2% increase would really only serve to hold employees take home pay steady.  He indicated that without the increase, employees would have a reduction in actual take-home pay in the next fiscal year.

Councilwoman Robbie Neal asked if the 2% increase would also apply to those working under the TERI Plan. (Teacher and Employee Retention Incentive)  Satterfield replied that the increase would apply to all employees.

When Mayor Bob McLean called for the vote, it passed on a 5-2 vote with Roth and Neal opposed.

The post After 3rd Workshop, Clinton Gives 1st Budget Vote appeared first on WLBG.

A man was killed in a two-vehicle crash shortly after leaving his home Monday morning. The fatal wreck reportedly occurred as he entered the Laurens – Clinton Highway from Barnes Road, near the Laurens County Hospital. South Carolina Highway Patrol Corporal Bill Rhyme said the crash wreck occurred at 7:55 A.M. when an eastbound 2008 Van on Highway 76 and a 1999 Mazda Protégé which had entered the intersection from Barnes Road collided. The occupants of the van were not seriously injured. The driver of the Mazda was airlifted to Greenville Memorial for Treatment.

Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Vickie Cheek identified the deceased as 56-year-old Stuart Allen Edminsten of 1340 Wilson Drive, Laurens. Edminsten was pronounced dead as of 9:40 yesterday morning. Deputy Coroner Cheek said death was from blunt force trauma to Mr. Edminsten’s chest.

Traffic was detoured for a time following the collision in the intersection.

Corporal Rhyme said that the wreck remained under investigation of the Highway Patrol.

Edminsten was Chaplain at the Tiger River Correctional Institution.

The post Fatal Crash Claims Chaplain’s Life appeared first on WLBG.

David Jerome Butler

The man wanted for a shooting incident that reportedly resulted in injuries for two people in a Fountain Inn manufacturing plant last Friday morning is now behind bars. Arrested yesterday by Simpsonville Police, 42-year-old David Jerome Butler of 230 Cornerstone Court, Simpsonville was transferred to the Laurens County Detention Center and has been charged with Attempted Murder for the alleged shooting of one person and with Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person regarding a second victim.

In warrant containing few details, Officer Thomas Hunnicutt states that on May 5th Mr. Butler discharged a firearm at one victim in an attempt to murder the victim. Regarding a second victim, another warrant states that Mr. Butler did unlawfully and not in self-defense point and present a firearm at that person.

The charges refer to the incident prior to 6:00 Friday morning in the YanFeng Global Automotive Interiors plant on International Drive, Fountain Inn. Two victims found by officers were transported for treatment of what were described as non-life-threatening injuries.

David Jerome Butler was being held, pending a bond hearing that was rescheduled for 4:00 this afternoon.

The post Friday’s Shooting Suspect Now Charged   appeared first on WLBG.

We now have additional details regarding a Clinton Public Safety arrest Sunday afternoon. Clinton Public Safety Lt. Stephen Lawton responded to Willard Road on report of a break-in. Upon arrival at the scene, he observed a woman walk from under a residence’s carport and down its driveway. She reportedly stated she was returning from a friend’s house to her car, which she parked after it overheated. She reportedly appeared erratic, unable to focus. The officer noted a broken window. Damage was estimated at $150.

During further investigation, the woman reportedly admitted to being inside the house and stated that she was having sexual intercourse with a man who lived nearby. Officer Lawton then questioned this man, who said that “If I’m going to have sex, then I will do it at my own residence and not someone else’s.”

The woman was then arrested on a charge of Trespass, Damage to the House and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia regarding a clear liquid residue reportedly spotted in her possession.

The post Man Says He Only Has Sex at Home appeared first on WLBG.

False Information to Police was alleged during a shoplifting investigation at Wal-Mart last evening. Laurens City Police arrested 38-year-old Tarchiema Shonta Smith of 406 Winetta Street, Laurens. Tickets issued by Lt. Simmons charged her with Shoplifting and Giving False Information to Law Enforcement at 922 East Main Street at 8:20 last night. Tarchiema Shonta Smith… Read More »

The post False Information Alleged appeared first on WLBG.

Separate Court orders were served on two men following their early morning arrests on drug charges yesterday.

Laurens Police Officer Robert Van Pelt issued tickets charging 19-year-old Jacob Austin Painter of 760 Shiloh Estates Road, Gray Court with Simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 3:32 Tuesday morning on North Harper Street at Watts Avenue. Painter was also served with a Bench Warrant that states he was convicted in Laurens Municipal Court on March 7th 2017 on a previous Simple Possession of Marijuana charge. It shows a sentence to be served of 30 days in jail or a fine of $633.45. Cash or surety bonds were set later yesterday totaling $1,115 on the two new charges. Jacob Austin Painter remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning.

Officer Van Pelt issued a ticket charging 30-year-old Charles Michael Roberts Jr. of 118 Lynn Avenue, Laurens with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 3:32 yesterday morning, also on North Harper at Watts Avenue. Roberts was later served with a warrant charging him with Possession of Less than a Gram of Methamphetamine. It sates he had .15 gram in his possession on North Harper yesterday morning.

During his visit to Municipal Court yesterday, Judge Wier ruled him in Contempt of Court and sentenced him to 30 days in jail or a fine of $500. With the fine and bond amounts on the new charges, Charles Michael Roberts Jr. remained in custody this morning in lieu of $11,060.

The post Court Orders Added to New Charges appeared first on WLBG.

The Whitmire Commission of Public Works issued a Boil Water Advisory yesterday afternoon, noting a break in a 10-inch water main on Union Street near the Little League ball park. The street, which carries Highway 72, was blocked late yesterday for repair. The advisory suggests residents vigorously boil water for at least one full minute prior to drinking or cooking. Ice cubes made with water since the water-line break should not be used for drinking purposes. The Whitmire CPW was working to fix the water main break.

The post Boil Water Advisory in Whitmire appeared first on WLBG.

An alleged domestic assault yesterday led to an arrest by the Sheriff’s Office. 27-year-old Paul Henry Hardy Jr. of 10 Copeland Street, Laurens was charged with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree. A warrant that cites an investigation by Officer Rushing states that on May 9th Mr. Hardy inflicted moderate bodily injury by slapping the victim about her face and by choking her, cutting of her air supply. He also allegedly prevented her from calling 911 by slapping her cell phone away from her.

A cash or surety bond was set at $25,000. Paul Henry Hardy Jr. remained in custody this morning.

The post Domestic Assault Yesterday appeared first on WLBG.