The man accused or orchestrating a kidnapping and murder from a state prison was delivered to Laurens County yesterday. 31-year-old James Robert Peterson was transferred from the State Department of Corrections to Laurens County’s Johnson Detention Center, where he’s charged with Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping.

Warrants citing the work of Sheriff’s Investigator Farrah Cook state that on July 20th Robert Peterson did, with malice aforethought, while incarcerated in Kirkland Correctional Facility in Columbia, orchestrate the events that ultimately led to the kidnapping and murder of Michelle M. Dodge. A warrant states the crimes occurred in Gaffney, but the victim was found deceased in Laurens County.

The Laurens County Coroner ruled Ms. Dodge died at noon Saturday, July 20th. Her body was found later that day in a wooded area off McDaniel Road, several miles south of Laurens.

James Robert Peterson is one of eight people that have been charged with various aspects of the kidnapping and murder of the York woman in Gaffney and leaving her body in Laurens County.

Plans are being made to have a referendum regarding a new local option sales tax on the Laurens County ballot during the November, 2020 general election. Mayors and Council Members from municipalities across Laurens County were present at last evening’s County Council meeting as County Attorney Sandy Cruickshaks explained the procedure state law requires for that process.

Before the explanation began, County Council Chair David Pitts told everyone present, “This will be the people’s choice, not county council’s or any other politician or special interest, it must be a grass roots effort.”

Cruickshanks distributed a copy of the Capital Project Sales Tax Act, which contained eight pages of detailed information on all phases of the tax, before and after its election or defeat. He said, “We need to follow the letter of the law and be sure we dot all our I’s and cross our t’s, so we will not have a problem later on.”

The first step is to form a commission of six members, all of which must be residents of the county. County Council must appoint three members of the commission. The municipalities in the county are to appoint the other three, who must be members of one of the municipalities as well as Laurens County. Cruickshanks explained the rather complex procedure state law requires for determining how the municipalities go about selecting the three members to serve on the commission.

He explained that after the commission is appointed, there should be meetings at the historic courthouse to select the projects to receive funding, should the sales tax be approved by the voters. He said the commission as to make the selection transparent.

If the tax is approved, it will be in effect for eight years, with an estimated intake of some $40 million. Sandy Cruickshanks explained that the projects the sales tax is to fund must be listed on the ballot in the order of their priority, showing costs of the projects.

The timeline for this new commission requires that it make decisions on the various projects so that the referendum can be on the November 2020 ballots. If the Capital Project Sales Tax is approved then, the tax will be enacted in May of 2021.

State Probation yesterday delivered 53-year-old Boyd James Nabors Jr. of 3425 Milam Road, Clinton to the Johnson Detention Center. He is being held for inpatient services through Voc Rehab and the Palmetto Center along with substance abuse counseling.

State Probation delivered 27-year-old Amber Kayla Smith of Academy Street, Clinton to the Johnson Detention Center Tuesday. She she was charged with Violation of Probation, accused of failing to follow the advice and instructions of her supervising agent. Examples cited included alleged failure to report as instructed in March, also changing her address without notification to the agent, also in March. She’s further accused of failure to make required payments and failing to make herself available for substance abuse counseling. S. Smith was released yesterday to the Greenville Probation office.

Fountain Inn Police has charged a man with presenting a forged check in town Tuesday. 38-year-old Montreal Vandal Gilchrist of 20 Bagwell Circle, Greenwood is charged with Forgery. Officer Lowe states in the warrant that on August 13th Gilchrist, with intent to defraud the Bank of Travelers Rest, published a counterfeit check for $423.37 as true, at a bank location in the Laurens County portion of Fountain Inn.

With a cash or surety bond set at $5,000, Montreal Gilchrist remained in the Johnson Detention Center earlier this morning.

Construction continues on the Muffin Mam’s 2nd bakery, which is in the Hunter Industrial Park in Laurens, in view of passing traffic on I-385. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Laurens County Council this week gave 3rd and final reading on the ordinance setting up incentives for the new facility. Council took the action Tuesday evening following a public hearing on the matter, with no one coming forward to comment.

With the area along Interstate 385 in upper Laurens County having a lot of new industrial plants over recent years, and more projected to come with the new Connexial Industrial Park, The Laurens County Development Corporation and Laurens County Council are seeking to see that the roadways can handle the current and future growth.

At this week’s County Council meeting, a report on an I-385 Corridor Study was presented to council. Thomas and Hutton Engineering conducted the study. They recommend roadway improvements be made so that the northern portion of the study area can accommodate future development. The report cites a need for improvements to exit 19 and Exit 22, to assist traffic getting into the adjoining roadways.

Judge Frank Addy Jr. heard from eleven defendants yesterday during another day of taking guilty pleas in Laurens County General Sessions Court.

36-year-old Marcus Lathan Sims of 276 Locust Street, Clinton pled guilty to 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 11 to 14-years-old. Judge Addy sentenced Sims to seven years but gave credit for 623 days already spent in jail. Another charge of 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 14 to 15-years-old was dismissed.

55-year-old Arthur Ray Brewington Jr. of 5342 Highway 14 Gray Court, pled to Threatening the Life, Person or Family of a Public Official and two Shoplifting charges. He was sentenced to 21 months in jail for each case, to be served concurrently. He was given credit for fifty days already incarcerated. Another charge of Threatening the Life of a Public Official was dismissed.

21-year-old Markevious O’Neal Carter of 306 Florence Street, Clinton pled to 3rd Degree Burglary and to Possession of a Drug with Intent to Distribute. He was sentenced under the Youthful Offender Act to a term not to exceed five years. With a screen for Shock Incarceration, a charge may be expunged. Charges dismissed for Markevious Carter yesterday were Discharging Firearms into a Dwelling, a Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute within Proximity of a School or Park charge and a case of 2nd Degree Assault and Battery.

39-year-old Otis Little Jr. of 149 Gray Street, Laurens, pled guilty to Burglary and 1st Degree Domestic Violence. He was sentenced to six years on each case, to be served concurrently, with credit for twenty days in jail.

A 2nd Degree Domestic Violence charge was dismissed.

28-year-old Michael Alan Lesley of 165 Eden Lane, Central pled to four counts of Breaking into Motor Vehicles or tanks. A 5th guilty plea was to Grand Larceny of greater than $10,000. Judge Gaddy sentenced Mr. Lesley to five years on each of the five charges, to be served concurrently. He was given credit for 211 days in jail, and his sentence is to begin September 26th. Another Grand Larceny of greater than $10,000 charge and four Petit Larceny charges were dismissed.

Kathy Plante of Main Street America addressed ways for developing a downtown area in a program hosted by Main Street Laurens in the Witherspoon building last evening. She shared results of a survey recently conducted, gathering ideas on the aspirations of residents. She said, “Revitalization needs to be informed by a solid understanding of local and regional market data and sustained and inclusive community engagement.”

Her presentation centered around transformation strategies suggested by Main Street America. They called for a deliberate path for strengthening the downtown economy, organized around Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion and Organization.

Plante said economic vitality focuses on capital and incentives along with other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing business, property development and creating an environment for entrepreneurs and innovations that drive local economies.

Ms. Plant said Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.

Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of

the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.

She said Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.

Kathy Plante said that strategies for development fall into two broad categories: Those focused on a specific customer segment and Those focused on an Industry, Product or Service segment.

Laurens Mayor Nathan Senn gave final remarks, emphasizing the solid rapport between the City government, Main Street Laurens, and the a desire for revitalization. He said, “We have many new people coming into town, and this is one thing you all can do and it will not cost a cent: Please be positive about your town.”

The Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested 33-year-old Kenneth Antwan Rice of Bellhaven Road, Anderson and charged him with Petit Larceny. He’s accused of stealing a backpack from someone in Laurens County on May 22nd, with the theft valued at $480. Mr. Rice was held overnight, awaiting a bond hearing today.

Unapproved gunfire was noted in charges following a Wednesday arrest by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 18-year-old Amuri C. Leeper of Columbus, Ohio was charged with Breach of Peace, Aggravated in Nature. Deputy Anderson states that on August 13th Leeper committed Breach of Peace, Aggravated in Nature in that he did discharge a firearm on property belonging to another individual without the authority to do so The warrant further notes that this occurred without adult supervision and while the suspect was under the influence of marijuana. Leeper remained in the Johnson Detention Center earlier today with a cash or surety bond set at $2,000.

Nineteen Presbyterian College students were spending their summer months conducting research.

These included Adrianna Cody of Enoree and Sharmila Samuel of Greenville, who could be found either outside coring trees or in one of the labs of Lassiter Hall.

Cody and Samuel are working with biology professor Dr. Mike Rischbieter. They’re comparing trees on campus, in Clinton, and in Columbia to see if urbanization affects tree growth. The research experience will prove valuable as both look to go to graduate school after their upcoming senior year.

Ms Cody, who plans to be a research pharmacist, enjoys how research helps her sharpen her problem-solving skills. “Research teaches you how to adapt when you run into a wall in your research, you don’t know which way to go, or you realize that something you’ve done is incorrect.”

Ms Samuel, who has her sights set on becoming a dentist, enjoys what research offers outside the classroom. She said, “I like the one-on-one individual attention, and it’s so much different than a classroom setting because it really pushes you.” She added, “In class, you’re more focused on learning information for a test.

Cody and Samuel are two of ten students conducting research as PC Summer Fellows. These students are paid a stipend and spend eight weeks conducting a research project. All PC Summer Fellows work with a faculty mentor, like Dr. Rischieter, who is available to answer questions during the process and help guide the research.

Another nine students are conducting research as part of the South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE) program. PC is one of 13 predominantly undergraduate institutions in the state that participate in the program.

The summer vacation is almost over for students of Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56. Students return to class Monday morning.

Rev. Anthony Sims’ annual School Supplies Giveaway is being held tomorrow, providing supplies for students in need. The event starts at 10:00 in the morning at WLBG Radio.

A National Main Street program for revitalization of commercial districts was explained before Laurens residents gathered in the Witherspoon Building of the Laurens County Museum Wednesday evening.

The top concerns noted from a survey in Laurens included buildings that need repair, a lack of variety in the type of stores open, the number of empty buildings, parking and inconsistent store hours. Positive comments from the survey noted favorite businesses such as Roma Restaurant, Verdins Too along with the Capitol Theater and Café.

The most desired businesses requested were pubs, fine dining, bookstores, entertainment venues, and children’s stores.

The survey indicated favorite hours for shopping are from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon and perhaps other hours on Saturday. Most described themselves as cost conscious.

The average age of people who responded to the survey was 39.2 years. When asked for what future those taking the survey wished for Downtown Laurens, many noted the success Fountain Inn has had with their downtown revitalization.

In addition to reviewing highlights from the local survey, Kathy Plante from the national main street program discussed issues including housing opportunities for the community. One woman in the audience stated that after her college graduation, she found a job locally, but it took her a year to locate a place to live that she could afford as a single woman.

In discussing how to determine if a certain type store might succeed here, Ms. Plante gave examples of towns about the size of Laurens that had many requests for a candy store. She said when researching potential business owners in one such town, she found that to survive, the owners would need a greater population of customers to support a candy store. As an alternate plan for one town our size, she convinced a local greeting card store to add a display of good chocolates. She said this proved to be a big success.

The presentation for Main Street Laurens noted an important strategy of building on a community’s assets, such as famous hometown residents.

Grand Larceny and Drug Distribution charges were among the cases disposed of yesterday in a fourth day of accepting guilty pleas. Judge Frank Addy Jr. of Greenwood presided over the proceedings in Laurens County General Sessions Court.

40-year-old Quinton Glenn Eaton of Cowens Bridge Road, Gray Court pled to Possession of Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Convicted of a Violent Felony and to a Grand Larceny charge involving a theft valued in excess of $10,000. Judge Gaddy sentenced Mr. Eaton to eight years on the Grand Larceny case and to five years on the Firearms charge. The sentences will be served concurrently, and Quinton Eaton was given credit for 529 days already spent in jail.

30-year-old Khalid Robert L. Westmoreland Sr. of Sullivan Road, Fountain Inn pled Guilty to Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. He was sentenced to five years, but that was suspended to five years on Probation. Probation can be terminated after three years if there are no issues at that time. Charges dismissed for Mr. Westmoreland included Distribution of Meth, two counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child, Possession of fifteen dosage units of MDMA (Ecstasy) and 3rd offense Trafficking in Ice, Crank or Crack.

27-year-old Brittney Paige Williams of Octavia Drive, Spartanburg pled to Grand Larceny valued from $2,000 to $10,000. She was sentence to time served, having spent 302 days in jail.

38-year-old William Scott Hampton of Washington Street, Greenville pled guilty to Use of a Vehicle without Permission with Intent to Deprive the owner. He was sentenced to nine months, with credit for 37 days already spent in jail.

Two people pled to Possession of Less than One gram of Meth or Cocaine Base yesterday. 24-year-old Georgia Gail Branham of Freebird Lne, Easley was sentence to 14 days, time served and is to pay court costs at $50 a month starting October 1st. A Drug Possession with Intent to Distribute charge was dismissed.

29-year-old James Tyler Harris of Church Street, Laurens was sentenced to three years, suspended to 278 days, time served, two years on probation and to participate in four litter pick-ups. Charges dismissed on Mr. Harris were a drug Possession with Intent to Distribute within Proximity of a School or Park and two other Controlled Substance Possessions.

Laurens Police charged a man with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance Friday. 22-year-old Alex Michael Owens of 407 Crepe Myrtle Road, Laurens was accused of having oxycodone pills in possession. He was being held in the Johnson Detention Center earlier today with bond seat at $15,000.

Laurens Police arrested a man overnight from an alleged Sunday incident, but also had charges from late last month for him. Placed in the Johnson Detention Center early this morning was 53-year-old Robert Frank Grant Jr. of 1012 North Harper Street, Laurens. He’s accused of Assault and Battery 2nd Degree. That warrant cites an investigation of Officer Sherfield as indicating that on August 18th the defendant assaulted a victim by non-consensually touching the victim’s clothed buttocks and genital area with his hand in an incident on Sullivan Street.

Two additional warrants charged Mr. Grant with Shoplifting. The warrants noted investigations of Officer Yelton as indicating that on July 25th and again on August 1st Mr. Grant concealed an item valued at $2,000 or less on his person and left Family Dollar at 102 Fleming Street.

Robert Frank Grant Jr. was being held, awaiting a bond hearing on the three charges.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has charged three people in connection with the theft of a trailer and a golf cart. Among those arrest late Thursday was 26-year-old Nicholous Eugene Gulledge of 44 Bar B Villa Road, Clinton. He was initially charged with Petit Larceny for an alleged theft of property from another man on July 9th. The warrant noted prior property crime convictions.

The Sheriff’s Office added two more Enhanced Petit Larceny warrants Friday, along with charges of Burglary and Grand Larceny.

Warrants alleging 2nd Degree Burglary and Grand Larceny allege that on July 20th Gulledge entered a building on Breazle Creek Road, Mountville in the nighttime with intent to commit a crime, and that he took a 2003 Honda TRX 350 valued at $5,000 from that location. Other warrants allege that Gulledge took a golf cart and a dirt bike from another victim.

Cash or surety bonds on the Burglary, Grand Larceny and three Enhanced Petit Larceny charges were set totaling $50,000. Nicholous Eugene Gulledge remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Also arrested late Thursday, 26-year-old Regina Elaine Eubanks of 201 Elizabeth Street, Clinton was served Friday with three warrants charging her with Petit Larceny. She is also accused of taking a trailer, a golf cart and a dirt bike, each valued $2,000 or less, on August 5th. Prior convictions were also noted for her. Regina Elaine Eubanks remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning with cash or surety bonds on her three Petit Larceny charges set totaling $15,000.

Also arrested by the Sheriff’s Office late Thursday, 45-year-old Ralph Dewey Jennings of 107 Cherry Park Drive, Laurens was charged Friday with two counts of Petit Larceny. Both were Enhanced, noting prior convictions of property crimes for Mr. Jennings. He is accused of the August 5th thefts of the trailer and the golf cart that Ms. Eubanks and Mr. Gulledge were also accused of taking. Cash or surety bonds on his two Petit Larceny charges totaled $10,000. Ralph Dewey Jennings also remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Theft of non-ferrous metals was alleged with multiple charges served by Clinton Police following the incident last Friday. 49-year-old Dennis Dwayne McLendon of an apartment at 125 East Main Street, Clinton was charged with Damage to Real Property – Metals, Fixtures or Improvements along with Possession of Burglary Tools and Petit Larceny.

Sgt. Anthony Harris states that on August 16th in the 400 block of North Sloan Street McLendon maliciously cut, defaced or otherwise injured the personal property of the victim, cutting an exhaust pipe and battery cable of the victim’s 2001 Oldsmobile Alero with the purpose of obtaining nonferrous metals from the vehicle. Total value of the damaged items was $5,000. Sgt. Harris states that McLendon had an adjustable wrench, a screwdriver and a reciprocating saw in his possession on North Sloan, these items commonly used to commit such crimes.

An Enhanced Petit Larceny warrant states that McLendon took property from the victim Friday and has three prior convictions of property crimes.

Dennis Dwane McLendon remained in custody this morning with bonds totaling $5,000.

Possessing multiple packages of marijuana was alleged with an arrest Friday by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 41-year-old Nathaniel Davis Jr. of 110 Academy Street, Clinton was served a warrant charging him with Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. A warrant citing an investigation of Deputy Gary indicates that on Friday, August 16th Mr. Davis possessed 10.3 grams of marijuana in five individually wrapped packages on East Main Street, Clinton.

Nathaniel Davis Jr. was released from the Johnson Detention Center Sunday on a posting a $10,000 cash or surety bond.