Local News
Don’t Burn Your Storm Debris
Friday, October 4, 2024
The Laurens City Fire Department is reminding residents that there is an ordinance in town that bans outdoor fires. The only exception is for cooking. For people concerned about getting rid of all the trees and limbs brought down by the storm last week, this can be placed by the street, and the Streets and… Read More »
Planning for Rescheduled “Squealin'”
Friday, October 4, 2024
This first Friday in October is usually thought of as the start of the Squealin’ on the Square festival in Laurens. After Hurricane Helene came through last week, tearing down trees and power lines, festival organizers decided it best to postpone the event this year. On the WLBG Morning News Interview this morning, Laurens Main… Read More »
Wildlife Photo Exhibit-Opening Delayed
Friday, October 4, 2024
An exhibit of Laurens County Wildlife photography at the Laurens County Museum has been delayed. The exhibit from historian and naturalist Gene Ott of Waterloo was to open October 1st. It has been delayed but was expected to be open by October 10t. That’s the date Gene Ott is to give a lecture in the… Read More »
Throwing Chain Saw & Rabbit Hutches
Friday, October 4, 2024
A disturbance in the Rolling Hills neighborhood was noted with a Sheriff’s Office arrest Tuesday evening. A man had allegedly been screaming profanities and throwing objects such as a chain saw and rabbit hutches, causing multiple people to come out of the residence at that location, and to send children inside the house. 43-year-old Daniel… Read More »
Auto Theft Alleged
Friday, October 4, 2024
A car theft from near Clinton Monday was alleged with a Sheriff’s Office arrest. 18-year-old Jianthony Tyriq McGowan of Wisteria Avenue, Clinton was charged with Grand Larceny on Wednesday. The warrant alleges that on September 30th McGowan took a teal-green 2009 Toyota Camry from a location on US 76 East. This was allegedly without permission… Read More »
Possession of Stolen Vehicle
Friday, October 4, 2024
The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office served charges on a man Wednesday (October 2nd) alleging possession of a stolen vehicle. 28-year-old Nicholas Lee Carr of Houghton Court, Fountain Inn was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, alleging it was valued at between two and ten thousand dollars. The warrant states this possession occurred on Fairview… Read More »
Accused of Assaulting Two
Friday, October 4, 2024
Assaults on two people on Tuesday of this week were described in charges served by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday. 38-year-old Travion Christeel Anderson of Todd Quarter Road, Waterloo was charged with Assault and Battery 3rd degree on a male victim and 3rd degree Domestic Violence on a female. Warrants alleged that on October… Read More »
Stolen Tag on Moped
Friday, October 4, 2024
Laurens Police arrested a moped operator on West Main Street this week, citing the tag on his moped. A warrant served on 31-year-old Dan Bailey Gedding of Silo Road, Sumter states that an NCIC check revealed the tag on the moped was reported by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office as stolen. Dan Gedding was released… Read More »
Rescue to Recovery
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The Laurens County reaction to Hurricane Helene’s impact has now shifted from Rescue to Recovery. Laurens County Administrator Thomas Higgs advised local reporters that the status shifted yesterday afternoon, after he did an ariel assessment of the county by helicopter. He said that since the hurricane hit, the primary emphasis was helping those who were… Read More »
1000 Deployed By National Guard
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Major General Jeff Jones of the South Carolina National Guard visited Laurens County’s Emergency Operations Center yesterday. We asked him about the support the guard is providing to Laurens County now. “The support for Laurens County is part of what’s around 1,000 soldiers and airmen right now the South Carolina Army Air Guard, providing support… Read More »
Food, Water, Tarps
Thursday, October 3, 2024
A Laurens County Supply Distribution program began yesterday with a drive-thru in the parking lot of the county election’s office on Bolt Drive. Items being given out include MREs – Meals Ready to Eat) plus water and tarps. This distribution line operates daily from 10 am until 7 pm. To receive these supplies, enter Evelyn… Read More »
Good & Bad News on Traffic Fatalities
Thursday, October 3, 2024
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced a preliminary number of three people killed on South Carolina roadways during this past weekend, from 6 pm Friday to midnight Sunday night. D.P.S. Tuesday also reported highway fatalities for the first nine months of 2024. Through Monday, September 30th, South Carolina has had 689 traffic fatalities… Read More »
Storm Recovery in Laurens
Thursday, October 3, 2024
We got a closer look at storm recovery in the City of Laurens yesterday. We asked Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland about the response he’s seen to the Hurricane Helene: “We have been working around the clock with all our officers and first responders. We’ve done full assessment checks inside the city. We’ve also helped… Read More »
Laurens County Information Lines
Thursday, October 3, 2024
As part of the local response to the needs we have following last week’s storm, Laurens County Emergency Operations has established Public Information Phone Lines. If you need information, you can call one of these three numbers. The numbers are 864-681-2176, 864-681-2177 and 864-681-2178.
Update on CPW Recovery from Helene
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Utility crews from across the South and Midwest have been in Laurens County since last week’s storm ripped down trees and powerlines. Laurens CPW General Manager John Young gave WLBG an update on efforts to restore power in Laurens under difficult circumstances. “I want to start out by tanking our customers, for being so patient,… Read More »
Charleston Command Center in Laurens
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Laurens County is receiving help from the coast in dealing with damage from Hurricane Helene. Laurens County Administration has announced that Charleston Public Safety deployed its Unified Mobile Command Post to Laurens County Monday to assist us in the wake of the recent storm damage. The National Guard has also been present. These units are… Read More »
Emergency Shelter Now in Laurens
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
An emergency shelter has been established at the Ridge in Laurens, on Exchange Drive. Recreation Director Jason Pridgen told WLBG it was established by the Red Cross and D.S.S. Cots, blankets and some snacks and water were being made available.
Wildlife Photo Exhibit Opening Delayed
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Among changes announced since last week’s storm is a delay in an exhibit at the Laurens County Museum. This “Laurens County Nature and Wildlife Photography Exhibit” features photography of historian and naturalist Gene Ott of Waterloo. Described as an “exquisite photography of birds and other wildlife of Laurens County, it was scheduled to open yesterday,… Read More »
Arrest Alleges Five Rounds Fired From a Glock
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
A Laurens man is facing multiple charges following an alleged disturbance in town Saturday. Laurens City Police arrested 53-year-old Andrew Moore of Suber Road, Laurens and charged him with Breach of Peace of a High and Aggravated Nature, Felon in Possession of a Firearm and cited him with a Public Drunk offense. Mr. Moore is… Read More »
Squealin’ Festival Delayed
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Questions about this year’s 24th Annual Squealin’ on the Square Festival, following last Friday’s devastating storm, where answered yesterday. Rather than being held this Friday and Saturday, it’s is being delayed. The Main Street Laurens Board of Directors met yesterday. A statement posted following the meeting states, “In light of some new input, the board… Read More »
