Laurens Police yesterday charged a local man with repeat Enhanced Shoplifting offenses. 29-year-old Brandon Lamar Cunningham of Sassafras Lane, Laurens was served with two warrants alleging Enhanced Shoplifting and two more alleging Trespassing.

He’s accused of entering Walmart at 922 East Main on July 30th and August 12th without good cause or excuse, after having been placed on trespass notice by law enforcement to stay away from Walmart.

Enhanced Shoplifting warrants allege that on July 30th Cunningham took an air mattress valued at $100 from Walmart and that on August 12th he took a quantity of steaks valued at $80 from the store. Both warrants state that he has prior convictions for Enhanced Shoplifting in the past ten years. With bonds set totaling $10,970 on the four warrants, Brandon Lamar Cunningham remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

A Spartanburg woman was charged yesterday with a nighttime July burglary at a residence on Highway 56 north of Clinton. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office charged 28-year-old Mercedez Laqauan Browning of Cedar Springs Place, Spartanburg with 1st Degree Burglary. Investigator Michael Polson states that on July 14th, 2017 in Laurens County one Mercedez Laaquan Browning aided in the breaking and entering of a dwelling in the 13,000-address range of Highway 56 north of Clinton with intent to commit a crime, entering at night while a co-defendant was armed with a deadly weapon. Two people were noted as co-defendants in the alleged crime.

Mercedez Laquan Browning was released from the Johnson Detention Center yesterday on a $15,000 personal recognizance bond.

Judge Smithdeal Sentenced three people to the Johnson Detention Center yesterday after finding them in Contempt of Laurens County Family Court.

A 41-year-old Fountain Inn man was sentenced to $5,000 or 90 days. He was being on support payments by over $22,000. A 48-year-old Clinton man was sentenced to $1,500 or 30 days. He was behind by over $13,800 in support payments. A 35-year-old Gray Court woman was sentenced to 10 days or $500. She’s behind by just over $7,200.

A Newberry man the with a criminal history spanning nearly 30 years was sentenced yesterday afternoon to 20 years in prison after being convicted of multiple theft offenses. That announced by 8th Circuit Solicitor David M. Stumbo.

49-year-old Sterling Maybin was found guilty by a Newberry County jury of three counts of petit larceny and two counts of violent second-degree burglary. The petit larceny charges were enhanced due to the numerous property crimes on Maybin’s criminal record, dating back to 1991.

Circuit Judge Donald Hocker sentenced Maybin to 10 years in prison on each of the three larceny charges and eight years on each of the burglary charges. Judge Hocker ordered that two of the larceny sentences be served consecutively and all other sentences to run concurrent to the others, meaning that Maybin will serve a total of 20 years in state prison.

In April, Maybin stole multiple pieces of landscaping equipment from two different residences inside the City of Newberry. Both homeowners had motion-activated surveillance cameras that captured Maybin in the act of stealing the items. Both victims reported the crimes on April 24 and police were able to locate Maybin later the same day wearing the same clothes he had on in the surveillance videos.

Deputy Solicitor Dale Scott and Assistant Solicitor Taylor Daniel handled the case for the State, with assistance from 8th Circuit Investigator Walter Bentley and Victim Advocate Rhetta Christian. Maybin was represented by Charles Verner of the Newberry Public Defender’s Office.

Solicitor Stumbo praised the work of his staff along with lead investigator Allison Moore of the Newberry Police Department in securing the conviction and lengthy prison sentence. He said, “I am satisfied to see a career criminal like Sterling Maybin back behind bars where he belongs.”

A Ribbon-Cutting ceremony for the upgraded Wilder Stadium is planned before the 1st CHS Varsity FB game of the season Friday, September 6th. But there are other improvements planned for there and across District 56.

At the August meeting of the School District 56 Trustees this week, Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Pitts presented a list of capital improvement projects for the district.

The project list was broken down into three categories. Priority #1 items have a goal of completion in one to three years. Priority #2 items are to be completed in years four through nine. Priority #3 items are to be completed in year ten and beyond. Dr. Pitts noted the list contained many items highlighted in green, noting these projects have already been completed.

Among items on the 1st Priority list, to be completed in the next three years, was improving security at the front entrance of schools. Some schools already have secure entrances that confine visitors to the office area when they enter.  The schools in question, however, allow access to the entire school once inside the main entrance.  The cost of fixing this problem in the remaining schools was yet to be determined.

First Priority items also included resurfacing of the track at Clinton High School for an estimated cost of $200,000. Replacing windows at M.S. Bailey Child Development Center is expected to cost $105,000.  Dr. Pitts noted that this estimate is some two years old and may no longer be accurate.

Repaving the parking lot at Clinton Middle School at an estimated cost of $250,000. Repair of the roof on the “A: Wing at the former Bell Street Middle School was expected to cost $300,000.

Items in the 2nd Priority category on the District 56 Projects list included resurfacing the tennis courts at Clinton Middle School at a $50,000 cost and replacing windows in the Woodson Building at Joanna-Woodson Elementary at a price yet to be determined.

Priority #3 items, anticipated to occur ten or more years into the future, included adding a suspended ceiling for the “A” Wing at Bell Street, a new press box for Wilder Stadium, replacing the intercom and bell system at Clinton Elementary School and installing security cameras at Eastside Elementary. There were no cost estimates noted on the Priority 3 list.

The Laurens County Community Foundation has announced the programs selected to receive financial assistance from this year’s Community Enrichment Grants. Dr. Ed Gouge, Grant Committee Chair of the Foundation, said “Laurens County is blessed to have many organizations that imagine ways of making life better in our community, and the LCCF is blessed to be able through its programs to help some of those imagined ways become reality.”

From many applications received, five outstanding local organizations were selected as recipients of this year’s competitive LCCF 2019 Community Enrichment Grants Program.

The Mountville 4-H Club was selected for its Youth Sewing Education Project, teaching lifelong skills for students from Cross Hill, Mountville, Joanna, Kinards and Clinton.

The Thornwell Charter School’s Readers Theater Program is being assisted as they combine English Language Arts and Instrumental Music lessons and plan a performance for Spring 2020.

The Rotary Club of Laurens is receiving funding to help in its Backpack Program for children at E.B. Morse Elementary this school year.

The Laurens County Cancer Association is receiving assistance in its Gas Card Assistance Program, providing assistance for Laurens County residents traveling to receive treatment for their disease. About 80 local residents receive help each month.

A grant to Joanna Woodson Elementary School is to assist in purchase of a specialty machine to develop materials for activities that help children with autism spectrum disorder.

In addition to the Community Enrichment Grants program, the Laurens County Community Foundation has also awarded over $90,000 in scholarships to Laurens County students for their continuing education. These scholarships were given through funds that the Foundation managed last year for Clinton Kiwanis, the Cummins/Wham Scholarships, Laurens County Future Scholarships, Kevin’s Dream Scholarships, and the Thom Copeland Memorial Scholarships.

Failure to return a borrowed car was alleged with an arrest yesterday by Clinton Police. 44-year-old Doyle Wayne Roberts of Forest Road, Clinton was charged with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, Enhanced. Sgt. Wilkes states that between August 25th and 28th Roberts took a 1997 Oldsmobile from its owner with permission then refused to return it upon her request. Sgt. Wilkes states the charge is enhanced due to three or more property crime convictions. Doyle Wayne Roberts remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning with a cash or surety bond set at $5,000.

A truck theft was alleged with a Sheriff’s Office arrest Wednesday. Deputy Brown initially issued a ticket charging Disorderly Conduct on 36-year-old Charles Eugene Mann of Hurricane Road Extension, Gray Court. Later, a warrant was served charging him with Grand Larceny. In it, Deputy Taylor states that on August 21st in Laurens County Mr. Mann committed Grand Larceny by taking another man’s 1991 Ford F-150 pickup valued at $3,000. The warrant states Mann has prior convictions of the same.

South Carolina Probation and Parole yesterday arrested 55-year-old James Michael Dill of North Sloan Street, Clinton and charged him with Violation of Probation. He’s accused of testing positive for marijuana, methamphetamine and amphetamine and of being untruthful about use of meth. He allegedly failed to pass a drug screen yesterday. A warrant states he used someone else’s urine in an eye drop bottle. Failing to make required payments of financial obligations of probation and failing to refrain from use of illicit drugs were cited as violations of the conditions of his probation order. With a cash or surety bond of $60,000 set on the Violation of Probation charge, James Michael Dill remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Laurens City Police yesterday served charges from a wreck in town on Monday of last week. 28-year-old Kasey Danielle McGhinnis of Railroad Street, Enoree is charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving under Suspension 3rd Offense and Habitual Offender for Driving under Suspension.

Warrants citing an investigation of Officer Van Pelt state the defendant was operating a vehicle on North Harper Street August 19th while her driver’s license was suspended or revoked. With at least three prior convictions for driving under suspension, the August 19th violation is cited as indicating she is a Habitual Offender, as labeled by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Ms. McGhinnis is further accused of striking the rear end of another woman’s 2007 Chevrolet sedan with her 2005 Ford, then leaving the scene of the collision with no intent to report to proper authorities or provide required information. The crash reportedly occurred at 1013 North Harper Street on the 19th.

Bonds on the three charges were set yesterday totaling $7,565. Kasey Danielle McGhinnis remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

A man arrested early Thursday morning was served with a warrant later in the day charging him with a domestic assault. Clinton Police charged 39-year-old Billy Elmer Lingerfelt of Davidson Street, Clinton with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree. He is accused of engaging in a physical altercation with the victim during which he restricted her airway, causing her to possibly lose consciousness. He and the victim live together in a romantic relationship at the incident location on Davidson Street in Clinton. With a cash or surety bond on the 2nd Degree Domestic Assault charge set at $5,000, Billy Elmer Lingerfelt remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

An assault on a police officer this past Sunday was alleged with a Laurens Police arrest yesterday. 61-year-old Julia Mae Johnson of Lee Street, Laurens was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer 3rd Degree. A warrant states that on August 26th, while at the Laurens County Hospital on an involuntary commitment signed by Probate Judge Kaye Fridy, Julia Mae Johnson hit an officer on the left side of the face with her hands, causing small cuts to his face. He sought medical treatment at the hospital for the injuries. With a cash or surety bond set at $40,000 on the Assault on Police charge, Julia Mae Johnson remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Laurens County Council this week approved new, energy-efficient lighting and a new heating and cooling system for the Laurens County Library on West Main in Laurens.

Council unanimously approved a LED lighting bid for the Laurens County Library from Lighting Services of Greenwood. They’re low bid was $45,000. The LED lighting is expected to save money by using less energy.

Council also approved awarding Lowry Mechanical of Laurens with a contract for replacing five HVAC units at the library. The price of $265,000 included labor and material.

Council Member Joe Wood questioned the price, saying, “All the units are up and running now, why should we approve this bid? We should have more competitive bids, and this price seems quite high.” Councilman Jeff Carroll wanted Billy Wilson of Public Works to explain why the price was so high.  Wilson told council that some companies refused to bid due to the complicated nature of the project, saying, “There are five units, two at twenty tons, two at fifteen tons, and one at twelve and a half tons, and the project requires quite a bit of extra demolition due to the old ones being encased in sheet rock, and construction work beyond a simple installation.” Administrator Jon Caime added, “We all went there to examine the project and discussed the idea of putting them on the ground, but that would involve plucking them out by a crane, and that would be even more expensive.”

The new HVAC system installation was approved with one “no” vote from Council Member Joe Wood.

Laurens County Council this week unanimously approved the hiring of an engineer to design and build the new transfer station. Davis and Floyd engineering of Greenwood will be working with the county during bidding and construction of the facility. The transfer station will enable garbage collection vehicles to unload here, rather than make the drive to Twin Chimney Landfill in Southern Greenville County. Once the design is complete and bids are obtained, they will be brought to County Council for final approval.

County Council approved a self-funding for the transfer station on June 11th. The station will be built on the old landfill off the Laurens 127 By-Pass. A garbage drop-off site there now will be moved closer to the bypass.

Three bridges in Northern Laurens County were closed yesterday after South Carolina D.O.T. emailed the Laurens County Roads and Bridges Division recommending their immediate closure. Wells Road off Old Laurens Road is closed at the bridge over a small creek, which is a short distance west of the Owings Industrial Park. Burdette Road is closed at the bridge over Stoddard’s Creek, a few miles west of Dial’s Church Road. Park Road is closed at the bridge over Durbin Creek, between Durbin Road and Cooks Bridge Road.

Laurens County Department of Public Works Director Dale Satterfield said “The safety of our traveling public is and has always been priority one for our elected Council and the staff/employees who work daily to maintain and repair these critical assets. Satterfield noted that the Roads and Bridges Division has been working diligently on developing an inventory and asset management for all the county’s bridges and pipe. He indicated its anticipated that Laurens County may have more than ten million dollars of deficient bridge and pipe structures. Additionally, the county operates and maintains over 700 roads totaling over 460 miles.

WLBG has reported earlier this year about County Council deliberations regarding this large number of deficient roads and bridges.

Mr. Satterfield said all emergency services, including EMS, Fire and the Sheriff’s office, were notified about the bridge closures to develop alternative routes for maintaining emergency services to all county citizens. He said information will be conveyed to local media regarding length of closures and progress being made. There was no immediate estimate of how long until the bridges on Wells Road, Burdette Road and Park Road will reopen.

To see the football scores from around the state by classification and the region standings by classification, click here.

Ignore the fact that it says week 0.

Scores courtesy of scfootballstats.com 

A Clinton man is now facing two charges of stealing from Dollar General over a nine-day period. 54-year-old James Willie Bailey of Mill Pond Road, Clinton was initially issued a ticket by Deputy Hilderbrandt charging Shoplifting at a Clinton Dollar General Store at 2:45 Friday afternoon. Mr. Bailey was later served a warrant from another alleged shoplifting. It states that on August 21st Mr. Bailey took possession of three beers from the Dollar General on Highway 76 on Clinton’s west side.

James Willie Bailey was released Saturday on posting cash or surety bonds totaling $4,250 on the two Shoplifting charges.

Two assaults were alleged with a Saturday morning arrest by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office near Lake Greenwood. Sheriff’s Lt. Garrison issued tickets charging Domestic Violence 3rd degree and Assault and Battery 3rd Degree at 9:30 Saturday morning on Pineland Shores Circle, Cross Hill. Facing those charges is 59-year-old Tony Aubrey Norris of Hickory Trail, Jefferson, Georgia. Mr. Norris was released this weekend on cash or surety bonds of $1,087.50 on the regular assault ticket and $5,000 on the Domestic Violence charge.

A Upper Laurens County man has again been accused of improper conversation with a 911 dispatcher. The Sheriff’s Office Saturday arrested 55-year-old Glenn Francis Gadonas of Coffee Break Drive, Fountain Inn. A Warrant served later charge Unlawful Use of 911, alleging he harassed a 911 dispatcher Saturday, using phrases of indecent nature and disrupting 911 services. With a cash or surety bond set at $465, Glenn Godonas remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.