Multiple people were arrested on assault charges late Saturday afternoon at a site on East Jerry Road, near Laurens. Those arrested by the Laurens County Sheriff’s office included 46-year-old April E. Geddings of East Jerry Road, Laurens along with 27-year-old Daniel Dillen Barker and 24-year-old Haley Dawn Poole, both of a Watson Road, Enoree address. Deputy Hilderbrandt issued tickets charging the defendants with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree at 5:03 pm on East Jerry Road. Each was released this weekend on posting bonds of $1,087.50.

A new Coronaca-area industry has contributed $25,000 toward our area’s newest center for manufacturing training. Dan Martins, plant general manager for Teijin Carbon Fibers, the Teijin Group’s carbon fiber business company in the United States, recently presented a check for $25,000 to the Piedmont Technical College Foundation in support of construction of the William H. “Billy” O’Dell Upstate Center for Manufacturing Excellence. Crews broke ground on the center last November, and construction is currently underway in Greenwood. Other representatives of Teijin Carbon Fibers, Inc. joined PTC representatives for the presentation. These included Jeff Field, vice chairman of the PTC Foundation Board; Dr. Ray Brooks, president of Piedmont Technical College; and Fran Wiley, associate vice president for development, PTC Foundation.

Four charges were served after the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office responded Friday evening to the 2,500-address range of Ekom Beach Road, Laurens. 39-year-old Jeremy Eric Ferguson of Ekom Beach Road, Laurens was arrested. Deputy Zachary Hamilton issued tickets charging Mr. Ferguson with Assault and Battery 3rd Degree, Malicious Damage and Breach of Peace at 6:40 Friday evening at Mr. Ferguson’s address.

A fourth charge was served later in a warrant. It states that on August 30th Mr. Ferguson knowingly and willfully resisted the lawful arrest by a law enforcement officer. It states that he was advised of being under arrest and began violently pulling away from Deputy Hampton.

Cash or surety bonds on the four charges were set totaling $6,300. Jeremy Eric Ferguson remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

A Gray Court resident who was arrested following a strong-armed robbery of a Barksdale store Thursday, remained in custody this morning. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office has charged 19-year-old Joshua Caleb Greene of Mangle Drive, Gray Court with Strong Armed Robbery.

In a warrant, Sheriff’s Investigator Thomas Hunnicutt states that on August 29th Greene took $580 cash from the cash register of the Fil-Up Gas Station on Highway 14 in Barksdale, with intent to permanently deprive the owner.

With a cash or surety bond set at $20,000 on the Strong-Armed Robbery warrant, Joshua Caleb Greene remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested an Enoree area woman Saturday night on charges she interfered with a Deputy performing his duties off Highway 14, Laurens. 37-year-old Brandy Shateria “Bee” Montgomery of Highway 221, Enoree is charged with Hindering an Officer at 8:59 pm at 2668 Highway 14, Laurens. That charge in a ticket from Sheriff’s Sgt. Daniel Duckett. Brandy “Bee” Montgomery was released this weekend on posting a $5,000 bond.

A traffic stop in Laurens was attempted this weekend by a deputy who reportedly observed a man potentially involved in a drug transaction. The Sheriff states that around 7:00 Saturday evening the subject refused to stop and led the deputy in a chase on Hillcrest Drive and out Church Street. The fleeing suspect reportedly wrecked the vehicle in the 2600 address range on Highway 14 northwest of Laurens, then fled the scene. A Sheriff’s bloodhound located the suspect within a residence on Highway 14 and he was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies reported locating cash, marijuana, narcotics and a handgun while processing the scene.

36-year-old Lawrence Ventree Woodruff of 100 Thrift Drive, Fountain Inn was charged with Failure to Stop for Blue Lights, two weapons charges and six drug charges. The Highway Patrol also added four traffic charges for traffic-related offenses.

Lawrence Woodruff is charged with Possession of Weapons during a Violent Crime and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The Failure to Stop for Blue Lights warrant cited three prior convictions for that.

A Distribution of Cocaine warrant alleges he had possession of 1.4 grams of cocaine, a schedule 2 controlled substance. It notes at least three prior convictions. A Distribution of Methamphetamine warrant states he had possession of 6.9 grams of meth and that this is a 3rd offense. A Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute warrant alleges he had 2.3 ounces of marijuana. This was among warrants stating it’s a 3rd offense.

Highway Patrol charges for Lawrence Woodruff Saturday include Driving under the Influence, Driving under Suspension, Open Container and Speeding. Cash or Surety bonds on the four Highway Patrol charges totaling $2,752.

Bond was denied on many other charges, including the six drug warrants from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. Lawrence Ventree Woodruff remains in the Johnson Detention Center.

Following the Saturday evening arrest, Sheriff Don Reynolds said, “In just a short amount of time, our Bloodhound Team has proven to be invaluable once again. I appreciate the time and effort put into this

by all deputies involved and I am grateful that everyone is safe tonight.”

A deadly crash involving someone driving the wrong way on Interstate 85 in Anderson County is being investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. WYFF4.com reports the crash happened in the southbound lanes around 12:15 a.m. Monday near the on-ramp from Highway 29.

News 4 indicates the Anderson County Coroner said four people from Roswell, Georgia were in a Volkswagen sedan driving on I-85 south when they were hit by a 2006 Chrysler. The family was coming home from a trip to Baltimore. A man was driving and his 13-year-old brother was in the passenger seat. Their father and grandmother were in the backseat, according to the coroner, who indicated the father and grandmother were killed in the crash.

It sounds like a long shot, but an effort is underway to review environmental issues regarding redevelopment of old textile mill sites, such as the Watts Mill ruins. Laurens County Council last week unanimously approved a request to have an environmental engineering company apply for a grant. Jon McGinnis of from Rodgers and Callcott said, “This EPA grant, called the Community Wide Assessment Grant, become available once a year, and can be as much as $300,000.” He indicated this grant is very competitive, so the odds are low to receive it, but that, if awarded, it would be used to determine what environmental issues could block redevelopment of Watts Mill.

Laurens County Council has approved an agreement with Presbyterian College to allow their pharmacy students to have ride time with EMS. The approval, given at last week’s County Council meeting, is to enable PC pharmacy students to gain some field knowledge that will give them the advantage of seeing where the patient comes from and to get a true feel for what the patient is experiencing. This ride-along program is to be supervised by an experienced paramedic or field officer.

A man the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sunday has now been charged with two counts of Pointing and Presenting a Weapon. 30-year-old Christopher Scott Helms of Apple Orchard Road, Clinton was accused of presenting a weapon before two Clinton area residents. Mr. Helms was released yesterday afternoon on personal recognizance bonds totaling $6,000.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest Saturday from an alleged assault that day. 62-year-old Malcolm Eugene Barnes of Stewart Dairy Road, Fountain Inn was charged with Domestic Violence 2nd Degree.

An investigation of Deputy Kanpie is referenced as indicating that on August 31st Mr. Barnes committed 2nd Degree Domestic Violence on his wife, allegedly causing minor physical injury to her head by biting her. He is further accused of taking her cell phone and the home phone into the bathroom to prevent her from calling 911. Mr. Barnes was released yesterday on posting a $7,000 surety bond.

A Waterloo man was served with a drug charge following his arrest this past weekend. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office arrested 36-year-old Travis Allen Brown of Relax Street, Waterloo Saturday. He’s been charged with Possession of Less than One Gram of Meth.

A warrant states that during a lawful traffic stop it was discovered that the defendant was in possession of less than one gram of Meth.

With a cash or surety bond set at $5,000, Travis Allen Brown remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Rumors of a local school threat have been determined not to be legitimate or credible. FOX Carolina reports it reached out to Laurens District High School and the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

They report that Courtney Snow of the Sheriff’s Office said, “At this time, LCSO does not believe the supposed threat to be legitimate or credible. Several students in the vicinity of the area where the alleged “threat” took place were interviewed. As a result, we believe this to be a case of miscommunication/misheard speech. However, extra deputies will be present at the school due to the rumors, to put anyone at ease who may feel otherwise.”

Fox reports a “Chief of Staff” at Laurens High School also disproved the reported threat in a statement: “There was a report of a threat being made at Friday night’s football game. That threat was brought to the attention of school administration, and they have been investigating the information with the assistance of local law enforcement. At this time, we do not believe there is any credible threat to the safety and security of our students or staff.”

Clinton City Council usually meets the first Monday of each Month, but with the Labor Day Holiday yesterday, council’s September meeting is this evening, starting at 6:00 in the PS. Bailey City Council Chambers.

Council has seven proclamations on the agenda for this evening’s meeting and two resolutions. The resolutions, if approved, will support a 2020 Census partnership and support bike lanes on South Broad Street.

Administrative briefings on the agenda include an update on the Police and Fire building, on the new Clinton Recreation Complex and on the bike lanes proposed for South Broad Street.

Matters on the agenda for executive session this evening include discussion of three contractual matters relating to the sale and purchase of real property. Another legal matter for closed-door discussion this evening is regarding the Agenda for Clinton City Council meetings. A third executive discussion issue is noted as a legal matter regarding relating to PMPA.

We note that a lawsuit has been filed by some city utility members of the Piedmont Municipal Power Authority against the agency and the utilities of Clinton, Union, Greer and Rock Hill. It alleges that Rock Hill and Greer have somehow “purchased” the votes of Clinton and Union regarding the issue of how fixed costs of the Catawba Nuclear Station are distributed between the ten member cities of the PMPA.

An informational meeting about the proposed Laurens County Capital Project Sales Tax has been scheduled for Thursday evening of this week.

Earlier this year, on March 26th, Laurens County Council approved having Laurens County voters decide whether to have the sales tax to fund capital projects.

All Councils of municipalities in Laurens County were invited to a County Council meeting last month, on August 13th, where the Laurens County Attorney provided informal public information specifically addressing the need of appointing a Committee to determine projects to be included on the proposed Referendum.  At that County Council meeting, the date of Thursday, September 5th was selected and agreed as an appropriate date to hold a public meeting on the proposed sales tax. This week’s meeting is to include all Municipal Councils and their Administrative Staff, for the purpose of providing more detailed information regarding the process of the proposed Referendum.

With this background, County Council Chair, Dr. David Pitts, is planning this informational public meeting about the Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) Referendum. It is to be held this Thursday, September 5th, from 5:30-7:00 P.M. at The Ridge, 319 Exchange Drive in the City of Laurens.

During this information meeting matters to be reviewed include the state law that governs this process to be followed along with the selection of projects that would be funded, should the referendum be approved. This week’s meeting is to also include fielding and answering questions on the matter.

The meeting is open to the public. That Thursday evening, September 5th from 5:30 until 7:00 in “The Ridge” at 319 Exchange Drive, Laurens.

WLBG received word about noon today hat the Raiders game at Myrtle Beach scheduled for this Friday night has been canceled and will not be made up.

This of course is a casualty of Hurricane Dorian which is supposed to  make its way up the Atlantic Coast and impact the Myrtle Beach area. Since Governor McMaster has ordered the closing of all schools along the coast and mandatory evacuation, Myrtle Beach can not practice even if the storm were to progress quicker than thought and have less of an impact on the area

The Raiders next game will be Sptember13 when they travel to Hillcrest to take on the Rams.

Laurens Police responded to a southside residence at 3:30 Monday afternoon where a woman reported her son had taken her cell phone and her social security debit card without her permission. She believes he saw her personal ID number when he was shopping with her, days earlier. She indicated that she wants to press charges.

Fourteen men and women entered guilty pleas yesterday as two judges were taking plea in this term’s first day of Laurens County General Sessions Court.

20-year-old Kyle Lyn Burch of Unexpected Drive, Fountain Inn pled to Ill Treatment of Animals. Judge Keesley sentenced Burch to fifty days, time already spent behind bars. With the plea, three more charges of Ill Treatment of Animals were dismissed on Mr. Burch.

32-year-old Sherrick Nikita Darlisa Strong of North Major Road, Belton pled guilty to Cruelty to Children. Judge Hocker sentenced her to thirty days, time served, and gave 90 days to pay court costs. Three counts of Unlawful Neglect of a Child or Helpless Person were dismissed.

One person pled guilty before Judge Hocker on two counts of Enhanced Shoplifting. 33-year-old James Andrew Stewart of Love Joy Lane, Laurens was sentenced to 18 months, with credit for 80 days. A third count of Enhanced Shoplifting was dismissed.

26-year-old Blake Adonis Cash of Sydney Lane, Gray Court pled guilty to being a Habitual Traffic Offender per Driving under Suspension. Judge Keesley sentenced Cash to five years, with credit for two days, and given probation that will include intensive supervision for the first six months. Time to be served will be on weekends in the Johnson Detention Center. A charge of 3rd offense Driving under Suspension was dismissed.

25-year-old Bryan Eugene Dilleshaw of Garrison Road, Pelzer pled yesterday to Receiving Stolen Goods, valued over $10,000. He was sentenced to three years, to run concurrently with another sentence, backdated to February 8th of this year. Another charge of Failure to Stop for Blue Lights was dismissed.

19-year-old Ashley Renea Hays of Hayes Drive, Gray Court, pled to Third Degree Burglary. She was sentenced to 5 years; however, upon 63 days, time served, that sentence is suspended to 18 months. She was told to get her GED.

Pleas to drug charges were the most plentiful yesterday.

26-year-old Leandra Morris of Rose Hill, Anderson, who pled to Possession of a Schedule IV Substance with Intent to Distribute. Morris was sentenced to three years, with credit for one day already in jail, but that was suspended to 18 months on probation.

53-year-old Sonya Stiwinter of Moore Street, Cowpens pled to Possession of Other Controlled Substances in Schedule I to V and was sentenced to three years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. The sentence is backdated from December 27th of 2018 and is to run concurrent with any other sentence.

52-year-old Dennis Wayne Searcy of Carver Road, Taylors pled yesterday to 2nd Offense, Possession of Less than One Gram of Meth. He was sentenced to five years, provided, however, upon service of the 15 days already served, his balance is suspended to 30 months, with intensive supervision for six months. Searcy is also sentenced to Substance Abuse Counseling and to pay court costs at a rate of $100 a month, starting October 1st.

29-year-old Brittany Nicole Singleton of Ravenbrook Road, Eastover pled to Violation of Drug Distribution Law regarding uncontrolled, imitation controlled substances. She was sentenced to two years, but with 17 days served, given six years on probation. She is to pay court costs within five months.

57-year-old Freddie Keith Templeton of Fairview Street, Fountain Inn pled to 2nd Offense, Possession of Less than One Gram of Meth or Cocaine Base. He was sentenced to one year, with credit for 74 days behind bars. Another 2nd Offense Possession of Meth or Cocaine charge was dismissed.

Laurens County General Sessions Court continues today in Hillcrest Square, with the possibility of a trial in one courtroom.

An intent to distribute methamphetamine was alleged following a Clinton Police arrest yesterday afternoon of 38-year-old Christy Annette Roddy of 405 South Livingston Street, Clinton.

Sgt. Chris Wilkes issued tickets charging Ms. Roddy with Driving Under Suspension, Operating an Uninsured vehicle and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia at 2:12 yesterday afternoon on Elizabeth at Jefferson Streets. Warrants were later served, charging her with 2nd Offense Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and with possession of a Narcotic. In one warrant, Sgt. Wilkes states that on September 3rd at a location in the 600 block of Elizabeth Street, Christy Annette Roddy had in her possession a quantity of a crystalized rock-type substance packaged in two separate bags and weighing over one gram, noting that this is prima facia evidence of intent to distribute. In a second warrant, Sgt. Wilkes states that Ms. Roddy also had four blue and white pills identified as Vyvanse, a schedule 2 narcotic.

Personal recognizance bonds were set on the ticketed charges. Cash or surety bonds were set totaling $12,500 on the two warrants. Christy Annette Roddy remained in the Johnson Detention Center this morning.