Personal Injury Attorney in Laurens, SC

LAURENS, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Laurens City Council is weighing a resolution that would designate the city’s downtown plaza as a smoke-free zone.

Mayor Nathen Senn said the council is considering a resolution, not an ordinance — meaning no designated penalties would be imposed if it passes. To enforce penalties for smoking, the council would need to pass a separate ordinance creating a law against it.

State context

The South Carolina Department of Public Health has published a map showing which communities have smoke-free workplace ordinances. As of December, 62% of South Carolina’s cities and towns have a smoke-free workplace ordinance, and 37% of the state’s counties have such an ordinance.

This year, the American Lung Association released its “State of Tobacco Control” report card. South Carolina failed in every category except “access to services that can help people quit,” where it received a “B.”

Health data

According to the American Lung Association, secondhand smoke is responsible for the deaths of 41,000 non-smokers and 400 infants each year. The association estimates that exposure leads to approximately $1.9 billion in health care costs and $6.6 billion in lost productivity annually. About one in four non-smokers in the United States face increased risks of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer due to secondhand smoke exposure.

Aaron Kahn, a former smoker, said he believes smokers are generally considerate of those around them.

“And I think that smokers really do have a sense of courtesy,” Kahn said. “You know, like, as a smoker, if I was still smoking, I would make the decision not to light up next to a group of kids, or, you know, if I was in eyesight of, you know, a group of children or even young teenagers, young adults — I would make that conscious decision not to do that in front of them.”

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Laurens, South Carolina – Two Laurens residents were arrested on child exploitation charges, prompting a broader investigation.

According to the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, investigators began reviewing information from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office regarding a county resident allegedly uploading, downloading and possessing suspected child sexual abuse material. After a detailed investigation, arrest warrants were obtained.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, deputies executed a search warrant at a home on Hammett Street in Laurens. Authorities said the suspect was taken into custody during the operation.

Investigators reported the residence was in “deplorable condition,” citing a hole in the floor, rodent droppings and animal feces and urine throughout the home. Building and Codes officials responded and later deemed the structure condemned, according to the sheriff’s office.

James Allen Cockrell of Laurens was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, second degree; unlawful neglect of a child; violation of a humane animal care ordinance; and no proof of rabies vaccination. Authorities said the charges stem from evidence gathered during the investigation and search.

Claudia Burnett of Laurens was also arrested and charged with unlawful neglect of a child, violation of a humane animal care ordinance, and no proof of rabies vaccination.

Sheriff Don Reynolds said the investigation reflects the agency’s commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable.

The case remains under investigation. For students, young workers and families in Laurens, the arrests highlight ongoing enforcement efforts tied to online exploitation cases.

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