A nighttime burglary last Tuesday was alleged with a Sheriff’s Office arrest Friday. 26-year-old Chad Everett Teasley of 359 Finley Circle, Mountville was charged with 1st Degree Burglary and Petit Larceny.

An investigation of Deputy Kanipe was cited as indicating that on August 13th Teasley entered a dwelling on Thimble Drive without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein. He allegedly entered the dwelling at night and stole a cellphone. The warrant notes Teasley does not reside there and was not invited into the residence by any household member. He allegedly took a Stylus-3 Smart Phone valued at $600.

No bond was granted for either charge. Chad Everett Teasley remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

An attempt to stab one man and threats to kill a deputy sheriff are alleged on a man this weekend. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested 50-year-old George Timothy Layel III of 718 Water Tank Road, Gray Court Saturday. He’s been charged with Attempted Murder and Use of a Weapon in a Violent Crime along with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree and Threatening the Life, Person or Family of a Public Official.

Warrants citing an investigation of Deputy Kanipe indicate that on August 17th at 718 Water Tank Road, Mr. Layel threatened to kill and attempted to stab the victim with a knife. This attempt placed the victim in fear for his life and would have been likely to cause death if the stabbing had been carried out. He’s also accused of knowingly and willfully possessing and displaying a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, in  an attempt to take the life of the victim.

The 3rd Degree Assault warrant states George Layel III took a fighting stance toward a juvenile, placing the victim in fear of injury, with this accomplished by aggressively approaching the juvenile with his fists clinched and with his arm held rear of his body.

Layel is further accused of threatening, multiple times while being transported, to kill a deputy of the Sheriff’s Office. He allegedly stated, “Once the cuffs come off, I’m going to kill you.”

George Timothy Lavel III was being held with bonds totaling $62,000.

A Union man was booked in Laurens County yesterday on behalf of Laurens County Family Court. 34-year-old Terrence Jwan Thompson of Lakeside Drive, Union was served with a Bench Warrant issued in July of 2018, charging Contempt of Family Court. The warrant stated Thompson failed to appear and failed to make support payments.

A 57-year-old Waterloo man was arrested yesterday afternoon on charges of trespass and assault. Sheriff’s Sgt. Boyd issued tickets charging the man with Trespassing After Warning and Assault and Battery 3rd Degree at a neighboring location near his residence. He was held overnight, awaiting a bond hearing.

An historic church in Northern Greenwood County was extensively damaged by fire last night. The Greenwood Index-Journal reports that Rev. Hampton Hunter, minister at Hodges Presbyterian Church, received a call at 8:55 pm that the church was on fire.

IndexJournal.com reports that fire official who were busy battling the blaze were unable to comment on the damage, but the steeple had collapsed, and large portions of the roof had caved in. Maye Hadden, who is clerk of session, said officials told her it was likely struck by lightning from a storm that toppled trees in and around Greenwood.

Hodges Presbyterian dates back to 1899, when a group of residents decided Presbyterians needed a place to worship in the town that then had about 250 residents. Construction of the American Gothic building began in 1900 and concluded the following year. It sits on a 2-acre lot on Main Street.

IndexJournal.com quotes Kevin Cartee of First Presbyterian, Ware Shoals as saying, “All of the leadership and the main offices have been made aware of what’s going on and things are already mobilizing.” Cartee added, “There are disaster relief things that are in place in our denomination as a whole,” indicating the Presbytery can appeal for aid to the national church.

“It’s gone through a lot,” Maye Haddon said. “Families have been here one right after another, generation after generation, not too many outsiders.” But, she added, “We’ve always had people say when they visited us how friendly the church is.”

Six traffic fatalities over this past weekend brought South Carolina’s highway death count for 2019 to 603, according to the State Department of Public Safety. The 603 fatalities for this year are below the 649 at the same date in 2018.

This year’s 603 traffic fatalities through August 18th include 394 vehicle occupants, of which 194 were not wearing their seat belts. 99 pedestrians have died on state roadways this year, down from 102 last year. We’ve had 73 motorcycle fatalities, up from 72 last year. Bicycle fatalities are almost double the 2018 number for this date, up from 10 to 19 deaths for 2019.

Laurens County’s traffic fatalities continue holding well below the past two years. Through August 18th, we were holding with 10 traffic deaths, down from 21 the same date of 2018 and 22 in 2017.

Greenwood has an even better improvement down from 12 traffic fatalities last year to only 4 for 2019. Abbeville County is down from 3 to just 1 fatality for 2019. Anderson is down from 30 to 23. Spartanburg is down slightly from 33 to 32 traffic deaths through August 18th.

Greenville County’s fatalities are up from 36 to 45 and Union County is up from no fatalities in 2018 to 5 for 2019.

Neighboring Newberry County has six traffic fatalities for this year, the same number as this date last year.

The Laurens County Chorale has announced that rehearsals are to begin shortly for their annual Fall/Christmas program. Members from Laurens County and surrounding areas are invited to join the Chorale for this year’s program, under the direction of Dr. Chuck Neufield. The Chorale is a non-auditioned group for folks who enjoy fellowship and singing. Organizers note that if you desire to be part of a dynamic, hard-working group of singers and vocalists under the direction of a tremendously gifted artistic director, this is the group for you.

Rehearsals begin Monday, August 26th and are held from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Clinton’s First Baptist Church. More information is available with a call to Chorale President Mark Simpson at (864) 680-2514.

An arrest has been made regarding a nighttime burglary this summer at the Exxon – Inn Mart store in Downtown Gray Court. The Laurens Count Sheriff’s Office yesterday charged 31-year-old Ryan Lamar Jones of Jerome Drive, Columbia with Malicious Damage and Burglary 2nd Degree.

In warrants, Sheriff’s Investigator Hunnicutt states that on July 3rd Jones entered a building at 8314 Highway 14, Gray Court without consent and with intent to commit a crime therein, entering in the nighttime. Hunnicutt adds that Jones or another participant in the crime used a bat to break the glass door and enter the incident location, carrying away cash and cigarettes in the amount of $3,445. The Burglary reportedly resulted in damage to a glass door estimated at $600.

Ryan Lamar Jones of Columbia was held overnight in Laurens County detention, awaiting arraignment on his charges.

Two Upstate residents are facing drug charges following an arrest by Laurens Police yesterday morning. 22-year-old Steven Hightower of Morton Drive, Westminister and 31-year-old Lisa Christine Anderson of Timberlan Road, Greer are charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. Warrants allege this possession occurred at an address in the 300 block of Bryson Drive in Laurens.

In one warrant, Laurens Police Sgt. Alexander states that Steven Hightower had constructive possession of two clear bags containing approximately 3.59 grams, packaged weight, of methamphetamine. In another warrant, Sgt. Alexander states that on August 19th Ms. Anderson had in her constructive possession, hidden in her bra, two clear bags containing approximately 3.59 grams of methamphetamine.

Sgt. Alexander also issued tickets charging Ms. Anderson and Mr. Hightower with having an Altered License in possession at 8:50 yesterday morning at that location on Bryson Drive. Both were also issued Courtesy Summons also charging Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

$500 Personal Recognizance bonds were set on the Altered License tickets for Anderson and Hightower yesterday. Cash or Surety bonds were set on the Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute warrants. Both remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning, with a $25,000 bond for Steven Hightower and a $5,000 bond for Christine Anderson.

Ms. Sandy Miller representing Modern Woodmen Financial Fraternal organization was on hand at WLBG on Monday morning.  She was here to honor a “Hometown Hero”.

Modern Woodmen once each year names an individual who makes a positive impact on the community and may not be often recognized for what they do.  “These are the people who help others, who do a lot of work, who make lives better and then just move on to where they’re needed next.” Ms. Miller said.

And the 2019 Hometown Hero for Modern Woodmen is WLBG’s own Rev. Anthony Sims.

Rev. Sims was recognized for his many community projects including the Feed The Hungry Thanksgiving Dinner, his coat drive, assistance with gathering toys for kids at Christmas and specifically for his school supplies drive to which Modern Woodmen has been a contributor for the past two years.

We at WLBG are proud to be associated with Rev. Anthony Sims and offer our hearty congratulations for an award well deserved.

The Laurens County Republican Party is establishing a new group for younger conservative voters. Brenda Stewart, Laurens County Republic Party Chair, has announced formation of the Laurens County Young Republicans, which is to be a chapter of the National Federation of Young Republicans.  Laurens County registered voters ages 18-40 are eligible to join.

Ms. Stewart said the first meeting of the group will be held tomorrow evening. That’s Thursday, August 22nd at 7:00 p.m. at House of Pizza on Musgrove Street, Downtown Clinton.  The Laurens County Republican Party is sponsoring and hosting the event.

Brenda Stewart said, “Our party is active and growing in Laurens County. This is a great opportunity for young conservative voters to engage with elected officials and network with like-minded individuals.”

Questions about the group or the initial meeting can be addressed by calling Ms. Stewart at 864-449-7700 or email to: Brenda@stewartmarketingandconsulting.com.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday arrested two people with Bench Warrants for cases involving the theft of electricity.

One Bench Warrant was served on 27-year-old Melissa Olivia Brewster of 100 Clinton Manor, Clinton. The Magistrate’s Court warrant states that she was convicted on June 17, 2019 on Theft of Electric Service, ordering that she be brought before the court and thereof discharged by due course of law. Melissa Brewster was held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting her appearance before the court.

37-year-old Brian Eugene Knox of 5628 Whitmire Highway, Clinton was served two Bench Warrants from Magistrate’s Court. One states he was convicted May 20, 2019 for Driving under Suspension. The second states Knox was convicted June 17, 2019 for Theft of Electric Current. Both state he was to be brought before the court and thereof discharged by due course of law.

Yesterday, he was committed with sentences of 30 days on each conviction or payment of fines of $647.50 and $500. Brian Knox remained in custody this morning.

Simpsonville Police have arrested a man whose accused of a carjacking in the Home Depot parking lot around 5:00 Monday afternoon. WYFF4.com reports that after officers responded to the Home Depot on Fairview Road, a suspect was later found in the victim’s car. Officers told WYFF that after a short car chase and foot chase, officers apprehended 28-year-old Corey Lee White.

Police state the victim of the carjacking suffered minor injuries.

WYFF reports Mr. White is charged with carjacking without great bodily injury, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He’s also charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.

Simpsonville Judge Barbara A. Ferguson set bond for White at $66,000.

As Laurens County students begin their second week of school this coming Monday, both Laurens County School Districts 55 and 56 are scheduled for their first school board meetings of the new school year.

The District 55 Board of Trustees will have a rather lengthy series of meetings Monday. District 55 Administration yesterday announced that the School Board will have a work session Monday afternoon from 4:00 until 5:30. This will be held in the large training room in the district office.

The work session is to be followed at 6:00 pm Monday with an Executive Session of the trustees. This is to discuss certified employment contracts for this new school year. The schedule calls for the board to return to open session at 6:30 Monday evening. This will also be held in the large training room at the district office. The open session agenda includes second reading of a policy regarding Online Funding campaigns and Crowdfunding. The trustees will also consider a request to make changes to the school calendar.

A Spartanburg County couple has been charged with damage from an alleged attempt to steal coins from a vacuum machine in Laurens last winter.

Laurens City Police yesterday served warrants charging Malicious Damage on 50-year-old Danny Joe Henderson and 50-year-old Kimberly Ann Henderson, both of Jones Road, Chesnee.

In warrants served on each, Laurens Officer J.C. Brewington states that on January 14, 2019 Danny Joe Henderson and Kimberly Ann Henderson damaged a metal pipe used to collect coins for vacuum service in an effort to intercept coins and deprive the owner of the coins.

Both remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning Cash or surety bonds were set at $2,000 for Danny Joe Henderson and $1,000 for Kimberly Ann Henderson.

A brief review of two recent events was part of the opening comments at the August meeting of Laurens City Council last evening. Mayor Nathan Senn complimented members of council for their attendance at the last County Council meeting. The county attorney gave a review of the process for conducting a referendum in the General Election in November of 2020. The idea is to establish a “Penny” sales tax in Laurens County that would be used to fund projects in the county. Sandy Cruickshanks told of how a commission of six people would be established. State law requires this commission would select the priority for the projects to be constructed by the new sales tax, and this information must be included on the ballot, so that voters know what the money raised would be used for. Cruickshanks explained that state law stipulates that three of these commissioners are to be appointed by County Council and the other three are to be appointed by the municipalities inside Laurens County.

Mayor Senn also reviewed last week’s meeting to discuss a process for revitalization of the downtown business district. Main Street Laurens is participating in a program from the national Main Street organization.

Bringing a privately-owned street into the Laurens City street system was approved last night, although the idea had some disagreement on council. Adair Place was constructed as the late Joe Adair developed a residential neighborhood along Scout Creek, off West Main Street. According to Laurens City Administrator Gary Coleman, this road is privately owned and in very poor condition. The owner, Phil Adair, agreed that if the city takes over the road, he will pay for half of the repairs, which are estimated at $40,000.

City Council member Martin Lowry abstained from voting on the proposal as he lives on the street. He said, “This being on the agenda was a surprise to me, but I will say that I have been trying to get Phil to do this for quite a while. This area is ripe for new development.” Councilman Lowry indicated he had seen people look at that area of town, then declined to build a home there due to road conditions.

Councilmember Johnnie Bolt disagreed with accepting Adair Place into the city street system. He said, “We need to be careful. This could open up a can of worms. The owners of … shacks will want their roads to be paved as well.”

Bringing Adair Place into the city system was approved, with Council members Johnnie Bolt and Sara Latimore voting no.

Threats to assault an on-duty nurse at the Laurens County Hospital are alleged with a woman’s arrest yesterday by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 31-year-old Tiffani Sarde Cromer of King Street, Newberry was charged with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree.

A warrant citing the investigation of Officer O’Connell states that on August 11th Ms. Cromer intentionally threatened a staff nurse at the Laurens County Hospital, verbally threatening to physically assault the victim while in the performance of her duties. This reportedly placed the victim in fear of her safety.

Tiffani Cromer remained in Laurens County’s detention center earlier today with a cash or surety bond set at $1,087.50.

Another person has been charged in connection with the July 20th kidnapping and murder of a woman, whose body was found in Laurens County later that day. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday booked 31-year-old Lisa Marie Bolton of AD Drive, Dallas, NC, charging her with Kidnapping and Criminal Conspiracy.

Warrants cite the investigation of Deputy Farrah Cook as indicating that on July 20th Lisa Marie Bolton unlawfully seized, confined, kidnapped or abducted Michelle Marie Dodge from a location in Cherokee County, SC without authority of law, noting Ms. Dodge was found deceased in Laurens County. On July 20th, Ms. Bolton is alleged to have conspired with two or more people to assist them in the criminal act of kidnapping and murder of Michelle Marie Dodge. A warrant states the kidnapping and murder occurred in Gaffney, but the victim was found deceased in Laurens County, so the defendant is being charged in Laurens County.

Lisa Marie Bolton was being held overnight in the Johnson Detention Center, awaiting a bond hearing on her charges.

Charges on the eight people already served with warrants range from Kidnapping and Conspiracy to Accessories before and after the Kidnapping and Murder. One man has been charged with Murder for allegedly ordering the kidnapping and murder from a correctional center, where he was serving a 30-year- sentence from another murder. That suspect has since been moved to Laurens County detention.

A Simpsonville man was killed when his bicycle was struck by a vehicle north of Gray Court Thursday evening. Laurens County Chief Deputy Coroner Vicki Cheek states that 67-year-old Richard Bouchard of Caddidi Court, Simpsonville was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle on Highway 101 north. Mrs. Cheek state that Mr. Bouchard was pronounced dead on scene at 7:30 Thursday evening, from blunt force injuries.

WYFF4.com reports the fatal crash occurred around 7:25 Thursday on Highway 101 near Friendship Church Road. The Highway Patrol reports a 16-year-old driving a 2015 Nissan was traveling south on Highway 101 and hit the cyclist from behind. The 16-year-old teen was reportedly charged with Driving Too Fast for Conditions.