Two persons plead to Burglary and Auto Break-In cases yesterday during Laurens County General Sessions Court.

33-year-old Randenn Christopher Matsuda, 19165 North Hwy 221 Laurens, pled guilty to Burglary 3rd degree, 1st offense, and was sentenced to 4 years, with credit for 109 days already spent in jail.

24-year-old Joshua Shane Skaggs of 113 Fifth Avenue, Clinton, pled guilty to Breaking into Motor Vehicle or Tanks and was sentenced to 5 years. That was suspended to 84 days, time served, plus 3 years on probation, 50 hours of public service employment and random drug and alcohol testing. A charge of Pointing and Presenting a Firearm at a Person was dismissed.

Pleas on two Financial Transaction Card Fraud cases were heard yesterday by Judge Don Hocker.

25-year-old Richard James Painter of 790 Shiloh Estates Road, Gray Court, pled guilty to Financial Transaction Card Fraud, valued $500 or less in a six-month period and he was sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act to a term not to exceed three years in jail. He was given credit for 86 days in jail. Six more charges of Credit Card Fraud were dismissed under Nolle Prosequi.

54-year-old Deborah Sumeral Simmons of Apartment 5D at 209 Exchange Drive, Laurens also pled to Financial Transaction Card Fraud, value $500 or less, and was sentenced to One year, provided that with the 6 days already served, the balance is suspended to a term of 6 months on probation. Other charges against Ms. Simmons that were dismissed were 2 counts of Credit Card Fraud, one charge of Credit Card Theft and 1 cunt of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute.

Two people were sentenced yesterday after entering guilty pleas on drug charges before Judge Don Hocker in Hillcrest Square.

36-year-old Cedric Terry Bailey of 95 Joy Drive, Laurens pled to Manufacturing and Possession of Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute. He was sentenced to 5 years, but with the 2 days already served the balance is suspended to a 2-year term on Probation and to 30 hours of public service employment.

35-year-old Joshua Neil Putman of 34 Sirrine Street, Laurens pled guilty to possession of less than one gram of meth. or cocaine base, 1st offense, and was sentenced to 18 months, with credit given for 77 days already behind bars. Another charge against Putman. dismissed by Nolle Prosequi, was Possession of Controlled Substance in Scheudle II.

Two people received sentences yesterday following pleas entered for Shoplifting. 62-year-old Carol Ann Cunningham of Unit 10 at 255 East Main, Laurens was sentenced to 51 days, time served, and to pay court costs within 90 days. 51-year-old Nathan Thompson Jr. of 409 Magnolia Drive, Greenwood, was sentenced to 10 days, time served, and also given 90 days to pay court costs.

One person was sentenced yesterday after entering a plea to 3rd Degree Domestic Violence. 45-year-old David Michael Samples of 97 Elledge Road, Ware Shoals was sentenced to 90 days. After 21 days, already served,  the balance is suspended to a year on probation. Probation is to be terminated upon completion of anger management counseling, if he is fully compliant. He is also to pay court costs and assessments.

Two men yesterday were sentenced after entering guilty pleas for traffic offenses.

53-year-old Harvey Kendall Fowler of 1094 Graden Road, Ware Shoals pled to Reckless Driving. He was sentenced to 30 days, time served. Other charges, dismissed yesterday under Nolle Prosequi, were Driving under Suspension, and Driving under the Influenve.

26-year-old Brandon Allen Smith of 46 Latimer Ridge Road, Honea Path pled to Use of a Vehicle Without Permission for Temporary Purpose. Judge Hocker sentenced him to 90 days, with credit for 68 days already spent in jail. Charges of 1st Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Burglary and Grand Larceny were dismissed.

The post Eleven Sentenced Yesterday in Laurens appeared first on WLBG.

Unlawful Possession of Firearms charges were served yesterday on two men arrested the day before, following alleged gunfire on Laurens’ Spring Street. Laurens Police Sgt. Jody Thibodeau issued tickets charging both men with Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits at 5:46 Wednesday afternoon on Spring Street.

30-year-old Anthony George Curry Jr. of Apartment 23 at 218 Spring Street, Laurens is also charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Violent Offender. Sgt. Thibodeau states that Curry was in possession of a .22 caliber Mossberg rifle Wednesday behind 218 Spring Street. The warrant also states that Curry has two prior convictions for Burglary 1st Degree.

Anthony George Curry Jr. was released from the Laurens County Detention Center yesterday on cash or surety bonds of $15,000.

23-year-old William Bowden Jackson of 201Reedy Fork Road, Laurens has been charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Pistol. In a warrant alleging that offense Wednesday, Sgt. Thibodeau states that Jackson was carrying a handgun about his person. The officer further states that Jackson had a Ruger 9 mm handgun with two loaded magazines in his hand upon contact with officers, behind 218 Spring Street.

William Bowden Jackson was released yesterday on cash or surety bonds totaling $6,000.

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The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday issued an alert for us to watch out for people posing as law enforcement officers. A release states the Sheriff’s Office continues to receive notifications of phone calls by people impersonating law enforcement officers. The Sheriff’s Office states that they, and any reputable law enforcement agency, will never call to solicit funds, pre-paid cards or to use bully techniques to get money. The Sheriff’s Office warns that if you receive such a call, it is a scam.

The Sheriff’s Office statement indicates that these calls often appear to be coming from a local number, but are really coming from distant places, using modern technology to appear to originate locally. Officers advise you to be aware of these phone scams and do not allow yourself to become a victim of these social engineering tricks. These scams can be disguised as coming from federal agencies such as the IRS, state agencies such as the Department of Revenue, or local agencies such as the Sheriff’s Office. If you are contacted by a source in question, it is better to assume it is a scam than to become a victim.

The post Alert! That’s Not Your Sheriff’s Office Calling You! appeared first on WLBG.

A Lander University student died last night in a one-vehicle wreck in Western Laurens County, when his car crashed as he approached the bridge over the Saluda River. Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Vickie Cheek said the wreck killed 19-year-old James Logan Lusk of 225 Daniel Boone Trail, Pickens. Cheek said that Lusk died of Blunt Force Trauma to his head and chest. He was pronounced dead as of 10:01 last night, at the time of the crash. He was a student living on campus at Lander University.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Corporal Gary Miller said the victim was driving a 1999 Ford Mustang Couple southbound on US 25 when he ran off the right side of the roadway, struck a guard rail, then struck a monument that dedicates that bridge over the Saluda River.

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Saturday afternoon the Laurens Academy Lady Crusader basketball team took a 48-34 win over the Lady Patriots of Patrick Henry Academy to win the SCISA Class-A Girls basketball Championship… They led 31-18 at the half and then held on take the win… Be sure to see Mike’s Sports Report Monday for more details and hopefully some pictures… Congratulations to the Crusaders!

The post Lady Crusaders Win Title appeared first on WLBG.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Friday arrested 31-year-old Lacy Lynn Crowe of 154 Miss Joyce Circle, Clinton on a Petit Larceny charge. She is accused of taking various items valued at under $2,000 from a victim on February 19th. Ms. Crowe was released Released Saturday on a $2,000 PR bond.

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Possession of Ecstasy and another controlled substance on South Broad in Clinton was charged by Clinton Public Safety in a booking at 1:19 Friday morning.

Warrants state that 30-year-old Avis Meozzma Perkins of 105 Lakeview Drive, Fountain Inn had two white, round pills in her possession believed to be Ecstasy and eight white pills believed to be Tramadol Hydrochloride, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Ms. Perkins was released Friday morning on PR bonds totaling $2,000.

Avis Perkins returned to the Laurens County Detention Center Sunday afternoon after an arrest by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Galloway issued tickets charging her with Simple Possession of Marijuana, a Vehicle License Violation and Driving in the Wrong Lane on Highway 49 and Interstate 385 at 2:40 Sunday afternoon. She remained in custody this morning.

The post Arrested Friday & Again Sunday appeared first on WLBG.

Laurens Police arrested a young man following alleged assaults on two females Friday. 21-year-old Michael Damien Blasco of 215 Independence Avenue, Laurens was charged with two counts of 3rd Degree Assault and Battery. Officer Alexander issued tickets alleging the assaults at 4:45 Friday afternoon at 219 Independence Avenue. With bonds totaling $3,000, Michael Damien Blasco… Read More »

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Resisting Arrest was one of the charges from Laurens Police Saturday for 26-year-old Tiffany Ann Earle of 34 Linda Drive, Laurens. Sgt. Billy Sellers issued tickets for that at 7:20 Saturday evening on Wedgewood Drive. Ms. Earle was also charged with Striking Fixtures Adjacent to Highway, Open Container & Disorderly Conduct. She remained in custody… Read More »

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The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office had charges from almost two years ago for a man Arrested by Laurens Police. Sgt. Billy Sellers issued a ticket charging 31-year-old William Lawrence Taylor of 13 McGowan Street, Enoree with Simple Possession of Marijuana at 8:56 last night on Main Street at Mill. The Sheriff’s Office served him with warrants charging Malicious Damage and Assault and Battery 3rd Degree.

In the warrants, Deputy Sims states that Mr. Taylor committed a battery on May 23nd of 2016 by biting the victim in the right hand, breaking the skin. Taylor allegedly did Malicious Damage to personal property of the victim on the same date in 2016 by knocking the victim’s telephone out of his hand and throwing it, causing it to break. “Will” Sims was being held overnight, awaiting a bond hearing.

The post 2016 LCSO Charges Follow LPD Arrest Last Night appeared first on WLBG.

Failing to Stop for a Blue Light was one of the charges following an incident on Interstate 26 early Sunday morning. 23-year-old Christopher Tyler Beeks of 741 Woodruff Road, Greenville was charged with Driving under the Influence, Driving under Suspension, Uninsured Vehicle & Failure to Stop for a Blue Light at 3:01 Sunday morning by Highway Patrol Trooper Gabrielle. Christopher Beeks remained in the Laurens County Detention Center this morning with cash or surety bonds totaling $16,710.

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From Dog Theft to Burglary, from Sex Offender Registry Violations to Failure to Stop for Police, seven defendants entered guilty pleas Friday in Laurens County General Sessions Court. Judge Don Hocker and passed down sentences.  defendants.

68-year-old Glen Bailey Junior of 290 Granny Apple Road, Enoree, pled guilty to Stealing or Killing a Dog, and was sentenced to 6 months. However, after service of 1 day, time served, plus payment of costs and assessments; the balance was suspended to 1 year on Probation, with 50 hours public service employment and payment of restitution also ordered. Another charge of Trespass was dismissed.

Also Friday, 30-year-old Joshua Lewis Sayward of 1016 Mordeci Mountain Road, Gray Court, pled guilty to 3rd Degree Burglary. He was sentenced to 5 years, but upon service of 8 days, already served, the balance is suspended to probation of up to two years. Upon payment of costs and assessments, on the Burglary charge, the balance of probation is terminated. Another charge of Malicious Damage against Sayward was dismissed through Nolle Prosequi.

Two persons entered a guilty plea Friday on charges of Sex Offender Registry Violations. 60-year-old Ruford Arthua Martin of 417 North Bell Street Extension, Clinton and 57-year-old Michael Earl Ruff of 705 Fleming Street, Laurens were each sentenced to 365 days, provided that upon service of 1 day, time already served, plus costs and assessments, the sentences were suspended to 18 months’ probation and 30 hours public service employment.

Assault and Failure to Stop charges received sentences from Judge Hocker Friday. 30-year-old Shaun Michael Moore of 176 Tillbrook Court, Fountain Inn pled to Failure to Stop for a Blue Light and 3rd Degree Assault and Battery. Moore was sentenced to 1 year on the Blue Light charge, suspended to one day already served, plus court costs and assessments; and given one year of probation. The assault charge resulted in 30 days, suspended to one day, plus costs and assessments, with one year on probation. Charges against Shaun Moore that were suspended included 3rd Degree Burglary, 2nd Degree Petit Larceny, 2nd Degree Domestic Violence, plus Reckless Driving, Driving under Suspension and Open Container in vehicle.

50-year-old Clark Mark Collins of 23 Copeland St Laurens, pled to Use of a Vehicle without Permission and sentenced to two years. He was given credit for 56 days already spent in jail. A permanent restraining order was also signed. Collins also pled to Enhanced Shoplifting and was sentenced to two years, with credit for the 56 days in jail. Both sentences are to be served concurrently.

29-year-old Kerry Leandra Morse of 806 East Ferguson Street, Clinton, pled guilty to Hit and Run with property damage and was sentenced to 1 day, time served, and to pay court costs.

The post Sentencing for Seven Defendants Friday appeared first on WLBG.

The LCSO arrested two people on drug charges on Clinton’s Eastside early Friday morning.

34-year-old Lawrence V. Woodruff of 100 Thrift Drive, Fountain Inn was issued tickets by Deputy Tesseniar charging him with Driving under the Influence and Simple Possession of Marijuana at 8 minutes after midnight Friday on Highway 76 East at Springdale Drive. Warrants were served charging Possession of Cocaine and Failure to Stop for Blue Lights. They state that Deputy Tesseniar’s investigation indicates that the defendant knowingly possessed a Controlled Substance without authority and that he failed to stop when signaled by siren and blue lights. Mr. Woodruff remained in custody this morning with bonds set totaling $16,062.50.

A co-defendant in the Possession of Cocaine charge was 26-year-old Amanda Danielle Marler of 476 Brookwood Court, Laurens. She was also charged with Giving False Information to Law Enforcement and Attempt to Obtain Unlawful Substance. She’s accused of giving false information regarding a felony and with attempt to obtain more than 9 grams of ephedrine products in a 30-day period. Amanda Marler remained in custody this morning with bonds totaling $11,465.

The post Cocaine Possession & Other Charges Eastside Clinton appeared first on WLBG.

A woman was killed in a single-car wreck in Laurens County Sunday morning between Simpsonville and Hickory Tavern. Lance Corporal Gary Miller of the Highway Patrol said the driver and only occupant of the vehicle was driving on Fairview Road, near Swallow Drive at approximately 6:25 a.m. Trooper Miller said the 1999 Nissan Altima 4-door sedan ran off the left side of the road and struck a tree, and the driver was ejected from the car. She had not been wearing seat belts. Miller said there were no other people in the vehicle.

Laurens County Coroner Nick Nichols identified the deceased driver as 40-year-old Amany Bolden of 32 North Greenwood Avenue, Ware Shoals. Nichols said that Ms. Bolden was pronounced dead at the scene. He said cause of death was blunt force trauma to her head and body. The address at the scene of the fatal wreck was listed as 3663 Fairview Road, Fountain Inn.

The post Sunday Morning Fatality appeared first on WLBG.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has held meetings in recent months promoting the creation of Church Security teams, to help protect against armed invaders. The Sheriff’s Office has now set a training session for churches that have created a Church Security Team, as well as any church that already had one in place. It’s this Saturday morning.

Chief Deputy Jarvis Reeder said this upcoming training session will be a specific “hands-on” training that will demonstrate defensive tactics as well as ways for team members to protect their congregation, should a threat present itself.

The training session will be held Saturday, March 3rd at the Ora A.R.P. Church at 23420 US 221 North. To register for this training, church teams should contact Lt. Don Evans or Chief Deputy Jarvis Reeder at (864) 984-4967.  The training will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end around 12 noon.  Lt. Don Evans or Chief Jarvis Reeder may also be contacted regarding any questions or concerns.

The post Church Defense Taught This Saturday appeared first on WLBG.

The Presbyterian College Department of Music presents the debut performance of the Piedmont Piano Trio this evening. The trio will perform works by Franz Joseph Haydn, Frank Bridge, and Johannes Brahms in tonight’s program.

The newly formed trio includes Catherin Hazan of Florence on violin, Dr. Richard Thomas, on cello, also directs the PC Chamber Orchestra. Amy Blackwood, on piano in the new group, is staff accompanist at Lander University.

The program begins at 7:30 this evening in PC’s Edmunds Hall. The concert is free and is open to the public.

The post Piedmont Piano Trio Debuts Tonight at PC appeared first on WLBG.

The driver in an early morning wreck yesterday was taken to the Laurens County Detention Center around 5:00 am. Later, Laurens City Police served a warrant charging 24-year-old Tara Nichole Day of 209 Chestnut Drive, Laurens with Hit and Run with Injuries.

The warrant states that she contributed to a collision which resulted in minor injury of a victim. The victim reportedly pled with the defendant to contact emergency personnel but denied the victim’s request and fled the scene. This reportedly occurred early yesterday morning on South Harper in Laurens.

Tara Nichole Day was released later yesterday on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.

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A single-car wreck in Laurens County this past Sunday morning resulted in 1 of 9 traffic fatalities across South Carolina this past weekend. These brought the total fatalities for 2018 across the state to 115. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety yesterday noted that’s a decrease from 153 road fatalities as of February 25th in 2017.

This year’s 115 traffic deaths in the state include 86 motor vehicle occupants. 52 of the 86 were not wearing seat belts. The fatalities also include15 pedestrians, an improvement from 20 last year. 10 motorcycle deaths mark a decrease from 14 in 2017, and 2 bicyclists killed show a decrease from 4 this date last year.

Laurens County’s 7 fatalities so far in 2018 is down from last year’s record 12 deaths, but it’s well ahead of the zero deaths in 2016 and 3 traffic fatalities in 2015.

Laurens County’s 7 road deaths is the same number of highway deaths that Greenville County had as of midnight Sunday. Spartanburg had 11, and Anderson had 4. Neighboring Counties with no fatalities through this past weekend were Abbeville, Greenwood, Newberry, Saluda and Union.

The post Laurens & Greenville Tied in Traffic Fatalities appeared first on WLBG.

The recent school shooting in Florida was addressed at last night’s Laurens District 55 School Board Meeting.  Superintendent Dr. Stephen Peters thanked all involved with ensuring the safety of students, including School Resource Officers, teachers and parents. Peters said “Our SRO’s are the best in the country.  They are courageous, compassionate and engaged with our students.” Two parents who have children in District 55 spoke during public comment time last night. Ms. Champaign and Ms. Brooks offered their support and time to do whatever is necessary to reach out to hurting students and to do anything else that they could do to avert another tragedy.

Dr. Peters expressed gratitude to those who spoke and said that relationships are very important in the welfare of students. He urged other to follow them with active involvement, especially by joining the PTA.

WLBG asked Dr. Peters if the school’s SRO carried firearms. He said that they did, but he had no comment when asked if he thought teachers should be armed.

The post Parents Offer to Help Reach Out to Hurting Students appeared first on WLBG.