At Laurens District 55 Board of Trustees Meeting Monday night, District Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland highlighted good news in the district.

One item of good news that Dr. Penland mentioned that Hickory Tavern School’s Academic Bowl Team won the Western Piedmont Education Consortium (WPEC) Academic Bowl on Feb. 11.

As the regional winners, the team will compete in the Academic Bowl State Finals on March 7 at Lander University. The team members are Lilyana Almanza, Randi Atchley, Caidence Glenn, Hyatt Reid (Team Captain), Andrew Poole, Nate Green, and Christian Hart.

Hundreds of middle and high school students from across the state will gather at Presbyterian College on Saturday, March 1, for the South Carolina Science Olympiad, a premier STEM competition that challenges students in a variety of science and engineering events.

Science Olympiad is a national organization dedicated to improving science education through hands-on, team-based competition. Founded in 1983, it has grown to include more than 13,500 schools across all 50 states. Each team of 15 students competes in 23 different events, testing their knowledge and skills in biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and problem-solving.

This is PC’s first year hosting the event after it was announced last spring that the Clinton campus would become the annual statewide competition’s new home.

Presbyterian College president Dr. Anita Gustafson said the college is thrilled to host the Science Olympiad, emphasizing PC’s commitment to fostering scientific inquiry and innovation.

“Presbyterian College is honored to host the South Carolina Science Olympiad and welcome the brightest young scientific minds in the state to our campus,” Gustafson said. “This competition not only celebrates knowledge and problem-solving but also inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. We look forward to seeing these students showcase their talents and explore the opportunities that STEM education provides.” 

Patrick Nelson, state director of the South Carolina Science Olympiad, expressed excitement about this year’s tournament, marking his first year leading the event.

“PC has been an incredible host, making sure we have everything we need to put on the best possible event for students, coaches, and schools,” he said. “Their enthusiasm for STEM education is evident, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in bringing this competition to life.”

The competition holds special significance for the Clinton community. Local schools have a long history of success at the Science Olympiad, with Bell Street Middle School and Clinton Middle School winning the state championship 22 times in the past 38 years, including a remarkable 17-year win streak from 2003 to 2019. Clinton High School has also dominated at the high school level, claiming 13 state titles.

Nelson noted that participation in the Science Olympiad is rebounding following a post-pandemic decline. Membership has grown 29 percent year-over-year, a sign that interest in hands-on STEM competition is strengthening.

Dr. David O’Shields, superintendent of Laurens County School District 56, called PC’s involvement a “dream come true.”

“Our community has united behind the idea of turning Clinton into ‘Science City, S.C.,’ and PC plays a huge role in that vision,” O’Shields stated last spring. “This event will not only highlight the talent of South Carolina’s students but also introduce them to PC’s outstanding science programs and faculty.”

The winners of the South Carolina Science Olympiad will advance to the national tournament, continuing their pursuit of excellence in STEM fields.

For more information about the Science Olympiad, go to https://www.scscioly.org.

Inspired by the motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” Presbyterian College celebrates an enduring culture of academic rigor, honor, and service.

PC is a nationally-ranked liberal arts college that provides students of all faiths, identities, and backgrounds with a transformative education to equip them for impactful careers and empower them to serve as powerful forces for positive change. PC’s distinctive approach uses innovative service as a tool of self-discovery, an amplifier of problem-solving skills, and a catalyst of curiosity which is epitomized by the newly-developed Center for Inquiry, Research, and Scholarship (CIRAS).

PC was founded in 1880 by the Rev. William Plumer Jacobs in the historic city of Clinton in the foothills of South Carolina. The college offers a wide variety of undergraduate majors and has established three graduate programs in occupational therapy, physician assistant, and pharmacy that firmly place the college as a hub for science in higher education. PC student-athletes — the Blue Hose — participate in 19 sports at the Division I level.

For more information about Presbyterian College, go to www.presby.edu.

Continuing its tradition of financial support, Eaton Corporation has donated another $25,000 to the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Foundation.

The donation will enable the college’s Engineering Technology Department to purchase a key piece of equipment known as a process control trainer.

“Process control is integral and of paramount importance to virtually all modern manufacturing methods, assembly and test lines, as well as the general operation of manufacturing plants,” said Christina Knight, PTC’s dean of engineering and industrial technology.

Knight said obtaining a process control trainer will “give our students a tremendous advantage in employment opportunities.”

“These units are highly customizable,” she said. “We would be able to teach our students about ubiquitous industrywide concepts such as PID control loops, statistical process control and assembly line/manufacturing process control with modern integrated SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems.”

Eaton Corporation is a global producer of power management technologies and services. The company has several facilities in Greenwood and employs many PTC graduates. Eaton has made multiple financial donations to the PTC Foundation in past years.

“We are extremely grateful for Eaton’s continuing support,” said PTC Foundation Executive Director Laura Dudley.

Knight also thanked Eaton Corporation officials.

“The equipment that has been acquired in past years with your grant monies has been invaluable in providing students with hands-on experience that goes far beyond the standard for other educational institutions,” she said,

PTC’s Engineering Technology Department offers three degree programs: electronic engineering technology, engineering design technology and mechanical engineering technology. To find out more, go online and visit ptc.edu.

About Piedmont Technical College:
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) is a comprehensive two-year college offering hands-on training in the latest technologies and exacting skill sets that are most sought after by employers in our region. PTC contributes to the economic growth and development of the largest and most diverse region of the South Carolina Technical College System, Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties. Throughout the region, PTC serves over 8,000 students annually.

Children 6-10 are invited to the Kids Club at the Laurens Library, February 24^th at 4 pm, to build a sweet structure out of conversation hearts. Who can make the tallest tower using only this favorite Valentine’s Day treat? All Kids Club events are free and open to the public.

For more information contact the Laurens Library at 864-681-7323

The Clinton Family YMCA will have their 46th Annual Youth/Community Prayer Breakfast March 4th through the 6th at 7 am at Broad Street United Methodist Church. Guest Speakers for the event are Corey Fountain, Chandler Davis, and Justin Brown. Corey Fountain is the head coach of the Red Devil Football program and current 2024 state Champion. Chandler Davis is a student pastor at the Church at the Mill in Moore, South Carolina. Justin Brown is currently the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Charleston Southern University.

A graduation ceremony was held at Federal Correctional Institution Edgefield (FCI Edgefield) on Jan. 8, 2025, for nine inmates who earned welding certificates from Piedmont Technical College (PTC).

Zach McDowell, supervisor of education at FCI Edgefield, congratulated the graduates for taking a “step in the right direction.”

“I am very proud of you,” McDowell told the men.

McDowell also thanked PTC for offering welding courses at the FCI Edgefield. To date, 17 inmates at the facility have completed welding coursework offered by PTC.

PTC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Keli Fewox was the guest speaker at the graduation. She said the event marked the culmination of four years of collaboration between FCI Edgefield and PTC to create the welding program for inmates.

“Today means everything to me,” Fewox said.

Fewox told the graduates that the welding certificates that they earned will enable them to obtain good-paying jobs upon their release from FCI Edgefield.

“I hope your next chapter is your best one yet,” she said.

PTC Dean of Engineering and Industrial Technology Christina Knight, Welding Program Director Jim Ladd and Welding Instructor Barney Jordan also attended the graduation ceremony. They were joined by officials from FCI Edgefield.

About Piedmont Technical College:
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) is a comprehensive two-year college offering hands-on training in the latest technologies and exacting skill sets that are most sought after by employers in our region. PTC contributes to the economic growth and development of the largest and most diverse region of the South Carolina Technical College System, Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties. Throughout the region, PTC serves over 8,000 students annually.

The annual Lake Greenwood Cleanup is scheduled for  Saturday, March 8 from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. Keep Laurens County Beautiful (KLCB) is excited to partner with , Keep Greenwood County Beautiful (KGCB) to host this annual event, blanketing the lake parameters with volunteers, picking up litter.  The partnership between Laurens County and Greenwood County is an attempt to beautify the lake community, while inspiring local residents and business owners to get involved.   

If you are interested in volunteering, a signup form is available and can be found on the @keeplaurenscountybeautiful Facebook page.   

https://forms.gle/ayGK83WrFhQA2ciu9 

Volunteers can also sign up the day of the event at any of the following locations.  

• Riverfork Boat Ramp  

• Break on the Lake  

• Lake Greenwood State Park  

• Buzzard’s Roost  

• Camp Fellowship  

• Harris Landing  

• Moon’s Landing  

For additional information, contact Courtney Stonell by email at cstonell@laurenscounty.org  

### 

The Internal Revenue Service and partners around the nation celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) with the launch of this year’s Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day campaign.

The annual campaign, now in its 19th year, helps increase awareness among the millions of working Americans with a low-to-moderate income who are eligible for the EITC. The IRS estimates that roughly one in five eligible taxpayers miss out on claiming this valuable credit.

EITC was signed into law on March 29, 1975. Through numerous legislative changes, the tax break has helped encourage work and lift many financially challenged families out of poverty.

As of December 2024, approximately 23 million workers and families had received about $64 billion total from the EITC, according to IRS statistics. On average, eligible taxpayers received $2,743 from the credit in tax year 2023.

In South Carolina, more than 430,000 workers and families received $1.2 billion total in EITC for tax year 2023. On average, taxpayers in South Carolina received $2,875.

Workers may use the EITC Assistant, an online tool, to check their eligibility, which may be affected by changes in marital, parental or financial status. Workers also may visit the Child-related Tax Benefits Comparison page to learn more about basic eligibility rules for the EITC and several other tax credits.

The Where’s My Refund? tool, which allows taxpayers to monitor the status of their refunds, will be updated with projected deposit dates for most early EITC/ACTC refund filers by Feb. 22. Most EITC or ACTC related refunds should be available in bank accounts or on debit cards by March 3 if there are no issues with a taxpayer’s return and they chose to receive their refund by direct deposit.

Whether they qualify for the EITC, taxpayers may be eligible for other valuable tax credits like the Child Tax Credit (CTC), the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) or the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC). The Interactive Tax Assistant is a helpful tool for taxpayers to check their eligibility for those credits.

As a reminder, the quickest way to get a tax refund is by filing an accurate tax return electronically and choosing direct deposit as the method to receive a refund.

Two people were recently arrested by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office for Unlawfully place a child at risk of. 20-year-old, Carly Drew Jade Case, of Shands Street, Clinton, and 21-year-old, Damarcus Jaden Clark Wright, of White Feather Circle, Clinton were both arrested for the alleged charge. According to the report, on February 6th, Case and Wright allegedly placed the victim at unreasonable risk by exposing the minor child to unsafe conditions. The house was unclean with dirt and what appeared to be feces in each room of the house. The kitchen was filled with mold, rotten food, and each cabinet that was opened had hundreds of cockroaches inside. The refrigerator was filled with rotten food and black mold. There was no fresh food in the residence. Also observed was evidence of drug use in the form marijuana roaches on the counter and pills left in reach of the child. Knives were also left in open reach of the child. There was also no running water in the residence and extreme filth.  Carly Case and Damarcus Wright were both released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond February 7th.

A Fountain Inn Man was arrested by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office for Domestic Violence 2nd Degree. 25-year-old, Austin Taylor Jones, of Ridgecrest Drive, was arrested for the alleged charge February 8th. According to the report, Jones allegedly struck the victim several times in the face leaving marks and bruising on her face. He also tried to stop the victim from leaving by trying to stop the car she was in. The offense occurred on Ridgecrest Drive in the county limits of Laurens. Austin Jones has since been released from the Laurens County Johnson Detention Center.

The Lander University Wind Ensemble is excited to share their first concert of the semester with the community Tuesday, February 25 at 7 p.m. in the Abney Cultural Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

Wind Ensemble
Date:	Tuesday, February 25
Time:	7:00 p.m.
Location:	Abney Cultural Center Auditorium Lander University, 320 Stanley Ave, Greenwood, SC 29649

The theme for the ensemble’s first performance of the Spring 2025 semester is based on the ideas of sky and heaven, and selections will feature works by composers who have reflected on the space above our heads. These include “Flight” by Idio, “Sky is Waiting” by Hazo, “Star Wars” by John Williams, and others.

The Lander University Wind Ensemble is the premier instrumental concert ensemble at Lander University. The group is under the direction of Dr. Reed Gallo, chair of the Department of Music. He is also the director of bands and professor of trumpet. Gallo studied with Ron Romm, a founding member of the Canadian Brass, and many top orchestra performers. He has performed on solo tours in Europe, including the Kmoch Festival in Prague, and Southeast Asia.

Please visit www.lander.edu/events for updates and to confirm event times and venues.

No bond on charges a Clinton man is facing. Deputies with the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested 40-year-old, Jason Leon Herbert, SR, of Saratoga Street, for two counts of Domestic Violence, 1st Degree and Resisting Arrest, on February 8th. According to one of the arrest warrant report, on February 8th, Herbert allegedly physically harmed the victim by striking her multiple times in the face causing laceration and swelling to her lip. According to the report, Herbert has two or more prior convictions of domestic violence within the past 10th years. The alleged offense occurred on Saratoga Street. He remains behind bars this morning at the Laurens County Johnson Detention Center.

Women at work networking will be today from 3:30 till 5pm at Laurens County Chamber 291 Professional Park Road in Clinton.
Women at Work events are designed to empower, connect, and inspire women in the community by creating opportunities for professional growth, meaningful networking, and mentorship. Through engaging programs and events, the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce strives to help women reach their full potential while building a strong network of leaders dedicated to driving positive change.
In honor of American Heart Month. This event will have a heart-focused theme. Dr. Jennifer Rogers, Doctorate of Nursing, will be sharing a brief but insightful presentation on heart health.

The Laurens Police Department recently arrested a Laurens man for Domestic Violence
2nd Degree. 37-year-old, David Lee Garner, of East Main Street, was arrested for the alleged charge. According to a report, on February 7th, Garner allegedly caused physical harm and injury to the victim by striking the victim in the face. The offense occurred on North Harper Street. David Lee Garner remains behind bars this morning at the Laurens County Johnson Detention Center. His cash or surety bond is $15,000.

At last night’s Laurens Commission of Public Works Meeting, General Manager John Young gave a presentation on how to save on heating costs during the cold winter months.
Some of the tips were; keep your thermostat set at 68, have your heating system routinely cleaned, try to avoid space heaters, have your doors and windows properly sealed.
Young also pointed out that the commission can help by giving customers more time to pay their bills, and by offering a budget plan for payments.
The commission also has a Community Change Program where customers have the option to round up their payments to assist other customers who are low income.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office recently arrested a Waterloo man for Breach of Peace and Malicious Injury to personal property. 52-year-old, Timmy Eugene Thomas, of Highway 72 West, was arrested for the alleged charge February 4th. According to the arrest warrant report, on February 4^th, Thomas allegedly damaged the victim’s Chevy van by striking the windshield causing it to crack and denting the hood. Timmy Thomas was released from the Laurens County Johnson Detention February 5^th.

A Woodruff woman is behind bars for Failure to appear after release for Felony. 62-year-old, Kathy Grubbs, of Kilgore Bridge Road, was arrested for the alleged charge February 4^th . She remains behind bars this morning at the Detention Center with no bond.