Looking more closely at the non-partisan positions up for election in November, we see three contested positions.

One is in School District 56, where Andy B. Young is challenging incumbent Patricia E. Sadler for Seat Four on the District 56 School Board. The other three District 56 positions up for election have the incumbents unchallenged, with Edna McGee unchallenged for Seat One, Donna Jacobs for Two and James D. Barton unchallenged on the ballot for re-election to Set Three.

Terri Martin of Gray Court is alone on the ballot for Seat One on the District 55 School Board. Barbara Beeks of Waterloo is unopposed for re-election to seat Three, and Anthony Carpenter is unopposed for Seat 5.

Two people initially were on the ballot for Seat Seven on the District 55 School Board: Robby Bell and Travis Cash. However, the Election Commission has since notified local media that Travis Cash was de-certified for this post on the school board, with the determination that he does not live in that district.

Travis Cash does, however, remain on the ballot for many voters in the City of Laurens.

Cash is on the ballot to challenge Marion Blonde Miller for City Council Seat One. For Seat Two, Incumbent Council Member Richard Brutt Griffin is unopposed on the ballot as he seeks another term. There is one other contested seat for City Council in November: Karen Dakers-Joy and Sara C. Latimore are both seeking election to City Council Seat Four. Incumbent Frank Richardson did not seek re-election to another term.

The only Laurens Commission of Public Works seat up for election this fall has a two-man race. Tim R. Pulley is challenging Incumbent C. Parker Moore for CPW Seat Two.

In other non-partisan voting for the up-coming General Election, Marcus E. Blackstone, John Bobo and Sam Waddell seek election to the Beaverdam-Warriors Creek Watershed; while Roger D. Kuykendall, David McKittrick and James A. Nelson are running for Duncan Creek Watershed.

The Rabon Creek Watershed is a multi-county district, with candidates to be announced by the State Election Commission.

Laurens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched in reference to a subject arguing with a victim on Virginia Circle, Waterloo Friday night, then allegedly leaving the location with a shotgun. While in route deputies were spotted the subject walking down Riverfork Road. The subject was reported as unarmed but very intoxicated in that he was unable to keep his balance and slurring his words.  The subject then asked if he could sit in the patrol car so he would not fall down and officers assisted him into the vehicle. He was then advised he was under arrest for public drunkenness.  Other officers continued to the incident location to speak with the victim and while the subject was on the way to Johnson Detention Center his arrested officer was advised that he allegedly pointed a single shot 12 gauge shotgun at the victim who was holding her child, stating he was going to kill them. A witness who was on scene confirmed the incident and also stated the subject did reportedly steal his shotgun. Deputies were unable to locate the shotgun but left witness statements with the victims and advised them to call Laurens County Sheriff’s Office when they were complete.

18 year-old Stephen Walter Blackwell Jr. of 191 Virginia Circle, Waterloo was arrested by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office Friday night.

He was charged with Public Intoxication and Criminal Domestic Violence of a High and Aggravated Nature.

Blackwell Jr. remained in Johnson Detention Center as of this morning.

Two people were arrested on similar charges by Clinton Public Safety Saturday morning. 23 year-old Michael Leon Killingsworth of 110 Barkwood Lane, Greenwood was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Driving Under Suspension 3^rd Offense, Trafficking of Ephedrine, Manufacturing of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

Separate warrants state that he did, with a co-defendant, conspire to manufacture methamphetamine, did possession items used in the manufacture of meth and did knowingly and willingly possession a quantity greater than 9 grams of a white powdery substance believed to be ephedrine based.

38 year-old Sandra Lynn Akin of 602 Jefferson Street, Clinton was also arrested.

She was charged with possession of methamphetamine, Trafficking of Ephedrine, Manufacturing of Methamphetamine and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

Separate warrants state that she did ,along with a co-defendant, conspire to manufacture methamphetamine, did possession items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine and did commit the offense of possession of meth by having in her possession a plastic purple container which had a white powdery substance that tested positive of methamphetamine.

Bond was set at over $27,000 for Killingsworth, while bond was set at $30,000 for Akin. Bond remained in Johnson Detention Center as of this morning.

34 year-old Tabatha Amy Knapp of 309 Exchange Drive Apartment #2C, Laurens was arrested by Laurens Police Department Wednesday afternoon.

She was charged shoplifting and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Bond was set at $6,000 and she was released from Johnson Detention Center yesterday.

34 year-old Tabatha Knapp was then arrested by Clinton Public Safety yesterday morning.  

She was charged with obtaining money under false pretences.

Warrants state that Knapp did pawn an Apple Ipod touch with the intent to deprive its owner.

Bond was set at $1,092 and she was released from Clinton Public Safety later that day.

Two people were arrested on similar charges by Laurens County Sheriff’s Office yesterday morning.

39 year-old Michelle Denise Upton of 346 Satterwhite Drive, Laurens and 31 year-old Cedric Cornelious Robinson of 346 Satterwhite Drive, Laurens were both separately charged with Criminal Domestic Violence.

Warrants state that Upton did cause harm to a victim by scratching him on his upper chest.

Warrants also stated that Robinson did cause harm to a victim by punching her in the face causing bruising.

Bond was set at $2,200 each and both remained in Johnson Detentoin Center as of this morning.

An Armed Robbery was reported in Eastern Laurens County yesterday morning, with a man reportedly pointing a gun into the face of the business owner.

The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office and the State Law Enforcement Division were seeking a suspect in that area of the county, following the hold-up on Highway 66 east of Joanna.

A Sheriff’s office release indicated the Armed Robbery occurred at 10 o’clock yesterday morning at Shady Grove Service Center, 3455 Whitmire Highway. The statement identified the subject as a while male with medium build, wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, brown work boots and a black ball cap.

This suspect reportedly went into the Service Center and made small talk with the owner before presented a pistol in the owner’s face, demanding money. He was then said to have trashed the whole store, throwing the office phone, smashing it tell the owner if the moved he would kill him. Deputies say he then fled on foot.

As the search continued yesterday, the Sheriff’s office said the subject is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about this case was asked to call 911.

Former Clinton High Football Coach Andy B. Young is challenging District 56 School Board member Patricia E. Sadler this year. There’s also one contested school board post in District 55. In addition, two Laurens City Council positions and one seat on the Commission of Public Works is contested on the November 6^th ballot, finalized yesterday. All four of the Laurens County Council seats up for election have incumbents seeking re-election. Two are opposed. Democrat David Pitts is being challenged by Petition Candidate Hunter Doolittle for Seat 7, while Seat 2 incumbent Republican Joseph E. Wood Jr. is being challenged by Petition Candidate John W. Martin.

All the candidates for Sheriff who were bumped off their party ballots prior to the June Primary this year are now back on the ballot – as petition candidates. Joining Republican Ricky Chastain this fall are David Brewer, Jerry Campbell, Don Reynolds and Eric Robinson.

There will be a three-man race for Laurens County Coroner. Petition candidates Robert I. Plaxico and William A. Weir join incumbent Democrat F. G. “Nick” Nichols seeking your vote.

There is a two-man race for 8^th Circuit Solicitor. Republican David Stumbo, who defeated incumbent Jerry Peace in the primary in June, is facing Democrat challenger Ben Shealey.

Of four incumbents in the South Carolina legislature who represent parts of Laurens County, only one is facing a challenge on the ballot this November. House District 14 Republican Representative Mike Pitts is being challenged by a former long-time School Superintendent, Democrat Ed Taylor. House Seat 14 now includes most of the City of Laurens. House seat 16 Representative, Republican Mark Willis of Fountain Inn and House Seat 42 Representative, Democrat Mike Anthony of Union, are unopposed. State Senator Danny Verdin of Laurens is also unopposed for another term.

Laurens County’s first United States Congressman in over a century is facing a challenge this fall. Republican Jeff Duncan is being challenged by Democrat Brian Ryan B. Doyle for South Carolina District 3 Representative.

County Council discussed Ali Rogers of Laurens being named “Miss South Carolina,” as well as last Thursday’s dedication of the all-new Piedmont Technical College ‘Center for Advanced Manufacturing.’

County Administrator Ernie Segars noted there will be a special celebration later this month to honor Ms Rogers. A joint proclamation between County and Laurens City Council was discussed.

Councilman David Pitts expressed his pride in the new Piedmont Technical College Advanced Manufacturing Center, for which a dedication service was held last Thursday. Pitts called the high-tech training center “a jewel in the crown” for the county.

Economic growth of the county was the first subject discussed at last night’s meeting, which began with a public hearing on County Ordinance #743. This amends a multi county industrial Octagon Park to add “Project Michigan” as part of the agreement. This US company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a German Company, manufactures plastic and is a supplier to automotive companies and other industries. The industry will be located in Greenville County with Laurens County getting 1% of “FILOT Funds.”

The measure received 3^rd reading approval.

A unanimous vote also approved County Ordinance #742 which authorizes the execution and delivery of an amendment to the fee in lieu of tax agreement between Laurens County and Alupress Reality, which was formerly known as KNR Reality.

County Council last night also gave approval to an ordinance that formalizes a 1998 agreement, providing a right-of-way for the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission to service a water tank the utility has off Templeton Road. The tank serves the County Professional Park area, which includes facilities that include the hospital and medical offices, county services the Higher Education Center and the county detention center.

County Council also received an update on the final inspection process for the large expansion of the county detention facility. Council was told the final inspection should occur in the next three weeks.

At the end of last evening’s meeting, Council went into executive session to discuss an economic development matter.

A Shooting in the early morning hours this past Saturday is considered just another in a series of events at Don’s and Diva’s on South Harper Extension just outside Laurens. That incident was the latest in what Sheriff Ricky Chastain tells WLBG has been a series of incidents that have occurred at the same location:

“Over the last couple of years we’ve had quite a few calls out there ranging from shootings to fights to alleged drug activity. The latest event back in April led our office to serving them with a letter indicating to them that we were cautioning them about the problems we were having and the nuisance it was becoming to the community and urged them to try to get it under control. If not, we would try to seek other remedies.”

Sheriff Chastain said his staff meeting with the Solicitor’s office tomorrow is to begin the process to serve a summons and complaint on the club operator, indicating a desire to have them closed. Based on potential court action, the process could take two to three months. We asked Ricky Chastain if the action is being taken out of concern for the safety of deputies called to the shootings, or the people who live nearby:

“Both. We certainly want to keep our officers safe and we certainly want our citizens who live in that area not to have to be subject to being afraid of their houses being hit by a stray bullet and the profanity.”

Sheriff Ricky Chastain.

The Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center has an indoor facility for the study of science, along with extensive outdoor areas to study. Now, they’re developing something in between, called an “outdoor extension.” New Adair Center Director Debbie Bishop told the Laurens Commission of Public Works yesterday about plans to put a science lab classroom area in the downstairs area of the building, where concrete floors and walls are better suited for doing experiments with logs and dirt. Bishop told the Commissioners of five programs that involve muddy activity: A webbed foot challenge, life in a log, oil spill research, waster quality and percolation, and a program called ‘soil rocks!’

The Commissioners voted to approve a $5,000 grant to the Joe Adair Outdoor Education Center, which will fund one of the four workstation tables that youth will use for their research.

The motion to approve the $5,000 grant was made by Commissioner Gerald Abercrombie, stating the importance of education. It was seconded by Commissioner C. Parker Moore Jr.