A man called into Laurens Police Department Fridaymorning to report an assault that allegedly occurred at his home on N Harper
Street, Laurens. When officers arrived at the location they were informed that a
subject had reportedly dragged the complainant out of a motel bed room. The
complainant’s girlfriend was also in the room and she stated that when she woke
up she noticed the subject in the room but not her boyfriend, the complainant.
She then asked the subject where her boyfriend was and he told her that the
complainant was outside but allegedly wouldn’t let her get to him when she
tried. The subject then reportedly threw her around the room but she was
finally able to get her items and leave the location. When the complainant and
his girlfriend left the location they allegedly noticed injury to the
complainant and $200 missing from his wallet, along with a pack of
cigarettes.  Later on a reporting
investigator for the case was on Liberty Lane, Laurens they pulled onto Church Street
and the subject was heading south on Church Street with a tag that was reportedly
expired. Investigators then turned on their blue lights and initiated a traffic
stop.  The subject was then spoken too and questioned as to if he had gotten into an altercation with anyone lately.
He allegedly stated he had gotten into an argument with the victim and also
told officers that there was a gun located in his truck when questioned.  The subject was then placed under arrested
and a search of the vehicle was conducted with officers reportedly locating
several handguns, methamphetamine, marijuana and also items taken from the
victim.

25 year-old Christopher James Hitchner of 177 Sullivan Road, Laurens was arrested by Laurens Police Department Friday morning. He was
charged with common law robbery, grand larceny, burglary and two counts drug
manufacturing. Hitchner remained in Johnson Detention Center as of this morning.

A man was arrested on several drug related charges late last night by Clinton Public Safety. 30 year-old Foremango Cedric Oniel Korens of 618 Elizabeth St, Clinton was charged with 3 counts distribution of crack cocaine and distribution of crack cocaine within the proximity of a school. Warrants state that he did sell crack cocaine in the amount of $20 to a confidential informant and did distribute crack cocaine within the proximity of school located on North Broad Street, Clinton. Korens remained in Clinton Public Safety as of this
morning.

A possible Criminal Domestic Violence incident was reported to Laurens Police Department late last night from independence Avenue, Laurens. The victim was spoken to when officers arrived at the location and she stated that her husband had allegedly accused her of stealing his money ad cigarette. The subject was reportedly extremely intoxicated and had been causing a scene at the location all day.  The victim advised she did not want to get kicked out of the apartment so she asked the subject to come take a nap inside but he allegedly refused and became angry and loud. The subject then reportedly began to push and pull on the victim. The subject was able to be located and he was reported to smell of alcohol and stated that the victim had allegedly hit him in the face and head and took his money. He was then informed he was being placed under arrest for public intoxication and transported to
Johnson Detention Center.

42 year-old Frederick Obrian Davis of 930 West Hampton Street, Laurens was arrested by Laurens Police Department last night. He was
charged with public indication and Criminal Domestic Violence. Davis remained in Johnson Detention Center this morning,
awaiting a bond hearing.

72 year-old Nim William Dunaway of 66 Horseshoe Dr, Clinton was arrested by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office
Tuesday afternoon. He was charged with Criminal Domestic Violence.

Warrants state that he did cause physical harm to a victim by stating he would kill her.

Bond was set at $3000 and he was released from Johnson Detention Center yesterday.

A man was arrested on multiple charges by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday afternoon. 44 year-old Matthew Truett Williams of 204
Quillen Avenue, Fountain Inn was charged with Grand Larceny, Burglary and property
offense.

Separate warrants state that Williams did commit a crime for which the term of imprisonment depends on the
value of the property affected, and was convicted. He has been convicted at least twice before for a property crime and the imprisonment depends on the
value of property affected and did take and carry away one golf cart valued at $3,500 belonging to a victim.

Bond was set at $75,000 and he remained in Johnson Detention Center this morning.

Tara Dean shared information on an E.S.E.A. Waiver recently released by the State Department of Education. It concerns school and district ratings. The ESEA Waiver, which was directed by President Obama on August 8, 2011 to the Secretary of Education, was designed to move forward with plans to provide flexibility to states which are looking for greater relief under the No Child Left Behind Act instituted by former President George W. Bush. Mrs. Dean said she was pleased with the performance of the district’s schools for their achievements on the first round of the waver. She said “We had Ten of eleven schools that met or exceeded state standards.”

Dean also reported the ACT Scores for the district’s one hundred fifteen seniors who took the standardized tests. That number was down from one hundred twenty three test takers last year. This year’s composite scores rose from last year’s seventeen point nine to this year’s eighteen point five. The statewide composite scores were nineteen point nine for both years.

The individual subject scores for the district were for Eighteen point six in English, compared to the state mean score of nineteen point one, Math scores were nineteen point one, compared to the state score of twenty point one, Reading scores were eighteen point six compared to the state score of twenty point one and Science eighteen point five as compared to the state mean score of nineteen point nine.

The final item of the Curriculum and instruction section was Tara Dean’s Monday night report on summer curriculum activities and professional development.

 The county’s latest addition, a platform truck capable of fighting fires higher or further across a large building, was demonstrated on the south side of the historic courthouse before County Council’s meeting.

“It is a 1994 Pierce, 100-foot platform. Got about 32,000 original miles, it was just ‘referbed’ about a year ago, and it is getting ready to go in service at Gray Court.”

As firefighters raised the 100-foot platform from the truck, County Fire Coordinator Greg Lindley explained to WLBG…

“Were just going to elevate the platform and let ‘em see how high it goes.”

During the meeting, County Council unanimously gave final approval of the County Fire Budget for the 2012 – 2013 fiscal year.

The Mayor of Gray Court appeared before County Council last night, requesting funds for a park and recreational project. John Carter noted the project that has been in progress for seven years and at the present the National Guard is leveling the ground. However, he said Gray Court is running out of money to pay for fuel for the guard vehicles. County Council unanimously approved providing $5,000 to help Gray Court with the Town Park project.

Council unanimously approved a request from County Building Inspector Buddy Skinner to amend the County’s manufactured homes amnesty program. This will allow the seven thousand dollar balance from last year’s budget to be carried over to this year’s spending plan.

Council also approved spending $58,000 to repair a rail spur to the Sterlite plant south of Clinton. County Administrator Ernie Segars noted the county accepted responsibility for the rail spur as part of the inducement to get the plant built here.

Council also approved $51,000 that Segars indicated was needed to complete the expansion and renovation of the county’s detention center. Money for both is to come from the county’s contingency fund.

County Council had a fire truck on display prior to their meeting last evening, while the August meeting for the Laurens County Health Care System was preceded with a reception for the county’s newest physician. Dr. Joni Coker and her family moved to Laurens County from Virginia. She told us she spent the past five years in training for the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“I graduated Medical School five years ago, and then, once a student graduates medical school, they go through an extended training period.”

Dr. Coker completed the five – year OB/GYN Training this summer, and has now joined Dr. Tim Harkins at Carolina’s Women’s Center here in Laurens County.

The Health Care System Board went into executive session toward the end of their meeting, after which they were expected to approve a budget for the hospital’s next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, County Council last evening approved the re-nomination of Erskine Adair Jacks Jr. and J. Alton Davis to additional terms on the hospital board. After County Council approves nominees for the health care board, the Governor makes the actual appointment.

24 year-old Sergio Demorris Mcdowell of 1643 Apple Orchard Rd, Clinton was arrested by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday. He was charged with Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature, Armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Separate warrants state that he did take cash money from a victim while armed with a semi-automatic handgun and did pistol whip a victim by beating him about the face and head with a hand gun.

Bond was set at $1,100,000 and he remained in Johnson Detention Center this morning.

District 56 Superintendent Dr. David O’Shields reported to the board, meeting in Clinton High last night, that it was a “very good, clean, crisp opening of school.” As of Friday, the 5^th day of class, District 56 had 2,933 students, up 16 from the same time last year. O’Shields said it appears the tough economic times are turning around for the district.

Financial alterations to the 2012 – 2013 budget were made last night. Noting the difficulty of setting a budget in June, when the state legislature had not finalized its budget for education, District 56 Finance Director Gerald Robinson requested minor changes in teacher salary structure, expected to average an increase of around $2 a teacher for the year. A bigger item was potentially up to $400,000 for adjustments for school bus driver expense. Other changes approved included a new schedule for supplemental pay, and codifying pay for retired teachers at 75% of that for non-retired teachers of similar qualification. Superintendent O’Shields said it’s been practice for a few years.

Even more discussion resulted from another financial request. The board approved Dr. O’Shields’ request for about $525,000 in funds from the district’s reserve fund to cover items already approved, some already underway, and others he said just needed to be done. The latter included local funding for the Teacher Incentive Program, or TIF, operating in three schools, with another pending.

The list of items funded by the half-million dollar “draw-down” included the $185,000 in work on Wilder Stadium, which the trustees agreed to last month.

Board member Elizabeth McKinney asked Gerald Robinson if drawing down the cash reserves could hurt District 56’s rating on any future bonds. Dr. Robinson explained how the process for assessing a bond rating works, saying that the more cash held in reserve, the better the district looks. He said that some suggest 3 months operating expense in reserve, but that the 10% of annual reserves policy held by District 56 is acceptable. He said he believes, once an audit is complete on the past fiscal year, that the District will have ended the year with a fund balance of $3.2 million. The $525,000 requested by the Superintendent would leave the balance above that 10% figure. Robinson noted that the current budget project expenses for the year at $19,275,523. The extra half-million approved last night raises that to $19,800,525.