No bond for a man in Laurens arrested for multiple charges. The Laurens Police Department recently arrested 43-year-old, Cloyd Lee Marshall, Jr, March 18th. His charges are Domestic Violence High And Aggravated, Grand Larceny, Kidnapping, and Ill Treatment of Animals. According to the arrest warrant report, on March 16th, Marshall allegedly hit the victim repeatedly with his hands and feet as well as several different blunt weapons, he held a knife to the victims’ chest and stated he would kill her. He allegedly dragged the victim into a hall bathroom and held her at knife point while refusing to allow her to leave. He also took her cell phone in an attempt to prevent her from escaping. Marshal took the victim’s three gold necklaces valued at $5,000 and also took her iphone valued at $800. During the incident, Marshal allegedly kicked and punch the victim’s pitbull while the dog was attempting to protect its owner. Cloyd Marshall Jr remain behind bars this morning at the Johnson Detention Center.

A Laurens County school was one of three honored this week by the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee. The committee announced three schools as recipients of its first 2024 Data Trailblazer Awards.

Joanna-Woodson Elementary School from Laurens County School District 56 was one of the three schools selected by judges as demonstrating how they successively use data to improve student outcomes, to help families and caregivers understand student data, to maintain a culture of school-wide data informed decision making, and to incorporate practices that prioritize data privacy.

Joanna-Woodson Elementary School of District 56, Lakeside Middle School of Lexington County School District One and Spring Hill High School of Lexington-Richland School District Five were selected form twenty schools out of fifteen school districts who entered the competition. Of these, thirteen were elementary schools, four were middle schools and three were high schools.

Schools were judged anonymously by education professionals who scored each submission and provided feedback.

Children from Laurens’ Bridging the Gap Summer Camp visited the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site in Greenwood last week. GLEAMNS C.E.O. Dr. Ameca Thomas welcomed the children, who

were then given an educational tour by Mr. Christopher Thomas, Mays Site Director. Thomas stated, “The GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site stands as a powerful testament to the values of education, determination, and hard work, illuminating the path to self-sufficiency. We are always happy to have children and adults visit the site to learn more about this rich history.”

The Mays Historic Site is dedicated to perpetuating and preserving the enormous legacy of one of the giants of the American 20th Century, Dr. Benjamin E. Mays – the legendary president of Morehouse College for 27 years, a trusted advisor to three US presidents, a minister, educator, social activist, and mentor/eulogist of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Ameca Thomas, shared her excitement about the visit, saying, “It’s truly inspiring to witness these young minds actively engaging with history and

heritage. GLEAMNS is deeply committed to the Promise of Community Action. We are steadfast in our promise of transforming lives, nurturing hope, and enriching communities. We firmly believe in empowering individuals to help themselves and each other, thereby making America a better place to live.” To schedule a visit to the GLEAMNS Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historical Preservation Site, visit www.mayssite.org.

GLEAMNS, a dedicated Community Action Agency, offers a comprehensive range of services across fourteen counties, which include Laurens, Newberry, Greenwood, Spartanburg and Saluda.  (Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, and Spartanburg). Their mission is to provide quality services, assistance, and opportunities to eligible customers, with a strong focus on education, employment, and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information about GLEAMNS and its impactful community initiatives, you may visit www.gleamnshrc.org.

WLBG’s morning show host, Randy Stevens died last Friday morning following a wreck on his motorcycle. At about 4:40 am Friday, while on his way to work at WLBG from his home south of Whitmire, Randy was turning his motorcycle from Highway 176 to Church Street in Whitmire when his motorcycle collided head-on with a car. He was thrown from his motorcycle. EMS rushed Randy to Columbia for emergency care, but he died there of injuries from the wreck.
Randy would acknowledge that riding a motorcycle to work that distance before sunrise, through the Sumter National Forest, had it’s risks; but he loved riding the motorcycle. So much, that he would ride even when temperatures dipped below freezing. He would sometimes even ride to work in rain, thinking the skies would clear for an enjoyable ride back to Whitmire that afternoon.
Just a few weeks ago on April 1st, Randy celebrated the passages of thirty years of his talk show, “Good Morning, Up-Country.” In that program, Randy was known to make comments that sometimes pushed up against the perceived limit of what should be said. He also sometimes took on many important issues that needed honest discussion.
 In addition to serving the community with honest conversation on important issues on the air, Randy also served the community off the air. He was very active with the Patriot Guard motorcycle riders, who honored veterans of military service at their death. He also worked in the Greater Laurens County Community for projects ranging from support of veterans to first responders. Randy’s community service began long before his career with WLBG. While operating his family insurance agency his community service included work on the first Board of Directors for the Main Street Laurens program. He was currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Laurens County Humane Society. Giving animals proper treatment was always a topic he spoke out about.
While Randy was best known for his work from WLBG on “Good Morning Up-Country,” he also hosted the Morning News Magazine weekday mornings from 6:00 to 8:30 over the past several years.
Even before hosting the Good Morning Up-Country talk show, Randy would occasionally be heard on WLBG as he joined Emil Finley to provide live election coverages of local elections across Laurens County, which they continued doing over recent decades.
    According to his wishes, after harvesting of his organs for transplants, Randy’s remains will be cremated. A Community Service to remember Randy Stevens is being planned at a location to be determined in the Laurens area. While the date has not been set as of last report, if may be this Saturday. All friends and listeners are invited to attend. We’ll have details on this program once they are confirmed.

Laurens County deputies responded to a shooting Wednesday afternoon that sent one person to the hospital. The shooting reportedly occurred in Laurens County near US 221 and River Hill Road near the town of Enoree. A Thursday afternoon update from Public Information Officer Snow indicated deputies responded Wednesday afternoon to the 28,000 area of US 221 regarding a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies reportedly discovered an individual with a gunshot wound.

The Sheriff’s release states that preliminary investigation indicates the owner of property at that location located someone trespassing on his property, allegedly with intent to steal equipment. The property owner then reportedly confronted the alleged trespasser and felt threatened by that person’s action, resulting in the alleged trespasser being shot. This person was said to still be receiving treatment in the hospital Thursday afternoon. The shooting was described as “an ongoing and active investigation.”

The situation was described Wednesday as an isolated incident that had already “been contained.”

A big boost came in yesterday for a campaign to expand the Dolly Parton Imagination Library into the homes of more Laurens County youth. Laurens County First Steps Director Toni Able reported that First Steps received a $750 grant from the NASCAR Foundation as part of the current NASCAR Day Giveathon!

She said, “Our total today is $1,731.25 with the $750 grant. What a boost to help us reach our goal of $5,000.”

This campaign is set to end today, so the time for thinking about it is over.

Mrs. Able noted, though, that there is still time to make a donation to help put books in the hands of all Laurens County Children up to age 5.

She asks for folks to take a moment to donate just $26.40 for a child to receive a book a month for a year from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The current expansion goal is to expand this library to the children in Laurens County School District 56.

She also suggested a donation of $50 or more to help bring the joy of reading through the installation of StoryWalk ® projects in Laurens County, adding, “Together, we can make sure the children of Laurens County are prepared to learn when they enter kindergarten.

The donation platform for this campaign ends at 8:00 pm this evening, Friday, May 19th.

Here is a link to the website for making donation with this story:

https://nascar.fanthem.io/give/nascar/giving-days/nascar-givingday-2023/charities/south-carolina-first-steps-to-school-readiness-laurens-county

You can also go to the local First Steps website: www.laurensfirststeps.org

…then copy and past the link from there, or click on NASCAR DAY GIVETHON

Beating a woman’s windshield with a baseball bat last month was alleged in charges served this week by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 40-year-old Travares Jamarr Williams of Putnam Road, Gray Court was charged with Malicious Damage of $2,000 or less value. A warrant states that on April 19th Mr. Williams willfully, unlawfully and maliciously did damage by striking the windshield of the victim’s vehicle with a blunt object believed to be a baseball bat, causing the glass to break. This reportedly occurred on Putnam Road, off Highway 101 north of Hickory Tavern.

Travares Jamarr Williams was released on a $1,215 personal recognizance bond.

A threatening phone call early this year was alleged with a Sheriff’s Office arrest this week. 56-year-old Irving Eugene Twitty of South Bell Street, Clinton was charged with Unlawful Telephone Communication. A warrant states that on January 22nd of 2023 Mr. Twitty knowingly and willingly called a victim on the telephone while threatening and calling the victim vulgar names. Irving Eugene Twitty was released from the Johnson Detention Center Wednesday on a $1,087.50 personal recognizance bond.

A Clinton area man has been charged with unlawful discharge of firearms. Laurens County deputies arrested 39-year-old Avery Royshun Davis of Apple Orchard Road, Clinton following the alleged Tuesday incident and charged him with Breach of Peace – Aggravated in Nature.

A deputy alleged that Mr. Davis committed this crime Tuesday in that during a loud verbal argument, while using profane language, he brandished a firearm and discharged it into the ceiling of a residence on Apple Orchard Road.

An $8,000 cash bond was set on the charge.

Multiple threats over twelve days in April and May were alleged with an arrest by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office. 41-year-old Johnston Tyler Chappell of Mill Rock Church Road, Gray Court was charged with Stalking. A warrant served Monday (May 15th) states that between April 27th and May 9th Mr. Chappell committed the crime of stalking by making multiple threats via text, phone and in-person to the victim at his workplace and his residence. This communication reportedly threatened the life of the victim, causing him to fear for his safety, both at work and at home.

Johnston Tyler Chappell was released this Tuesday on posting a $10,000 cash or surety bond.

A woman’s lip was reported to be swollen and bloody following a domestic incident early this week. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office charged 39-year-old Haskel David Cook III of Riverfork Road, Waterloo with 3rd Degree Domestic Violence. A warrant alleges that on Monday, May 15th Mr. Cook poked the victim in the face with his finger during an argument, then struck her in the face with his hand, causing her to fall to the ground. A $6,000 cash or surety bond was set on the charge.

Rain may have canceled the Laurens County First Steps, Child Abuse Prevention/Celebrate Safe Children event twice, but it did not cancel the outpouring of donations to the Laurens Baptist Crisis Center. Laurens County First Steps announced that over 500 pounds of non-perishable food was collected, along with scores of diapers, wipes, and baby necessities. First Steps thanked all participants in the Laurens County Child Abuse Prevention event, noting United Community Bank, The Laurens Police Department, The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, and The City of Laurens, plus the Bake Shoppe for meeting space.

First Steps Director Able noted that the donations received were boosted by businesses who had collection boxes. She thanked: United Community Bank, Thomason Jewelry, Stepping Stones Learning Academy, Designs by “D”, Palmetto Brothers and Kim’s Salon on Main.  She also thanked a special anonymous cash donor, as well.

The Laurens Baptist Crisis Center is a ministry of the Laurens Baptist Association for the purpose of giving food and clothing assistance to persons/families in Laurens County who are in crisis situations.  Hours of Operation: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-11:30 am.  Address: 60 Ranch Road Laurens, SC 29360 Phone: 864-984-2966

Laurens County First Steps is a local nonprofit that works collaboratively to ensure that all children start school ready to reach their highest potential. The program achieves this goal by engaging families, caregivers, and community partners in high-quality programs and services that improve early childhood development, from before birth through age five. It also serves as a connector and convener of all early childhood stakeholders in Laurens County. For more information, please contact Laurens County First Steps at erable@laurens55.org or 864-984-8130.