2021 Hall of Fame
2021 Hall of Fame, Ring of
Honor Class Announced
Saluda County Schools has announced the 2021 Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor Class.
Named to the Hall of Fame are Luke Brown, Lindsay Hawkins, Steve O’Kelley and Tracy Palmore. Named to the Ring of Honor, which recognizes outstanding volunteer supporters of the SHS athletic program, are Wayne Grice and Charles Long.
The inductees will be recognized at halftime of the Oct. 22 SHS football game.
Luke Brown is one of the few athletes in Saluda High history to letter in four sports, football, basketball, baseball and track, all four years he was in school. In football he played wide receiver, wingback, tailback, and quarterback. His freshman year he broke his neck in a game against Irmo. He recovered in time to play varsity basketball. He was all-conference in basketball his junior year. In track, he competed in many events, competed in the state track meet for four straight years, and won the state pole vault championship in 1972. He was Most Valuable player of the 1972 baseball team.
Lindsay Hawkins graduated from Saluda High School in 1996. She was a member of three state championship SHS bands and was drum major of the 1995 band. She lettered three years in basketball. She lettered four years in softball and was all region in 1996. After graduation, she received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, where she was a three time rugby All-American, and is one of the first two women to be inducted into the Navy Rugby Hall of Fame. Following graduation, she served from 2000-2007 in the U.S. Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Captain. She was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Steve O’Kelley led the most award winning band program in Saluda High School history, serving as band director from 1980-1994. During that time the Marching Tigers earned over 29 first place finishes in competitions. The band was Upper State Champions in 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, and State Champions in 1989, 1990, 1992 and 1993. A U.S. Army veteran, O’Kelley graduated from Lander University in 1973.
Tracy Palmore lettered in three sports at SHS. A four year lettermen in football, he was the MVP in 1995. He was the point guard on the basketball team, and was named All-State in baseball in 1995, when he batted .415 had hit five home runs. He was a recipient of the Dr. Robert Sawyer Award for two years, and was selected for Boys State in 1996. He signed to play wide receiver at North Greenville University in 1996. He joined the National Guard in 2000 and was deployed to Iraq from 2005-2006.
Wayne Grice graduated from Saluda High School in 1972, and is a former County Councilman and Saluda volunteer fireman. For 40 years he has operated the clock for Saluda High varsity and junior varsity football games, and has operated the clock at the basketball games for 25-plus years. He and his family have sponsored meals for the SHS athletic teams and coaches for over 40 years, and served the football per-game meals for five years.
Charles Long graduated from Saluda High School in 1975. He served as an assistant junior varsity coach in 1978, 1980 and 2003. He has filmed football games, cooked Boston Butts to raise money for the baseball teams for three years, and Booster Burgers to sell at the football games. He assisted in the installation of irrigation systems, fencing and batting cages at the practice fields, and has been a member of the chain crew at home football games since 1998.
Saluda Nursing Center
Named 4th Best In State
Saluda Nursing Center has beeen named the fourth best nursing home in S.C., according to a survey conducted by “Newsweek” magazine.
Selecting the right nursing home for a family member has always been difficult and never more so than during the age of COVID-19. To try to make it easier, “Newsweek “ has once again partnered with respected global data research firm Statista to create an annual ranking of America’s Best Nursing Homes.
This year’s ranking identifies the nation’s top nursing homes based on three critical criteria: overall performance data, peer recommendations and each facility’s handling of COVID-19, relative to in-state competition. Nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest population size, according to the United States Census Bureau were included in the study.
Methodology - America’s Best Nursing Homes 2022 highlights the nation’s top 450 nursing homes out of 11,849 analyzed. The rankings are based on performance data, peer recommendations and handling COVID-19, relative to in-state competition. Nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest population size, according to The United States Census Bureau (2020) were included in the study.
Recent Drug Arrests
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office’s traffic units have made the following recent Narcotic Arrests.
Anthony Gillian – Possession with Intent to Distribute
Methamphetamine, Driving Under Suspension
Dennis Bailey – Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Brittany Anderson – Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine
James Adams – Possession of Methamphetamine
Emily Moore – Possession of Methamphetamine
The Sheriff’s Office continues a proactive approach to remove these dangerous drugs off the streets.
Senior Center Project
SENIOR CENTER SPECIAL WEEK - The Saluda Senior Center observed “Rainbow Week” last week, where senior members participated in a contest for the best decorated table,using the colors of the rainbow. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Hall of Fame Class Named
Saluda County Schools has named the 2021 Hall of Fame Class.
To be inducted at the last SHS home football game, will be athletes Luke Brown, Lindsay Hawkins and Tracy Palmore, and state championship band director Steve O’Kelley.
Elected to the Ring of Honor are Wayne Grice and Charles Long.
More details be be printed in the coming weeks.
School Board Summary
Saluda County School District Board of Trustees met
September 20, 2021 in the Saluda Elementary School Media Center.
Meeting Summary
Dr. Kathy Coleman called the meeting to order. Mr. James Holloway gave the invocation. The agenda as submitted was approved. The minutes from the August 16, 2021 Board Meeting were approved. All Board members were present.
Superintendent’s Report
Budget Update
The current Schedule of Revenue and Expenditures as of August 31, 2021 was presented to the Board
ESSER Funds Update
•Funds are used for continued HVAC needs
•The District will resubmit the ESSER III Plan to reflect several changes related to fund use
•Dr. Livingston will continue to update the Board at the next workshop
District Update
•The District Facilities Assessment is nearing completion by MB Kahn
•Dr. Livingston and staff will meet with MB Kahn to review a draft of the facilities plan
•The board will have a workshop to review the plan and if possible, make a final review and recommendation at the October Board meeting
•Auditors will be in the District this week to conduct their annual audit. They will present the Audit report at the November Board meeting
•COVID numbers are down slightly across the district as of the September 20th.
•The District has held eleven COVID vaccine clinics. Dr. Livingston thanked Sharon Holloway and Councilman Matthews for their tireless efforts to holding these clinics.
•There will be another COVID clinic within the next three to four weeks.
•The Saluda County Legislative Delegation is invited to attend the October Board Meeting.
•The Teacher of the Year/Retiree Banquet has been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 5 in the Saluda High School Cafeteria at 6:00 p.m.
Field Trip Request
The Saluda High School – FFA – Field Trip Request was approved.
SCSBA – Certification of Delegates
Christy Corley Nichols was elected as the Delegate and Sharon Williams Holloway as the Alternate for the SCSBA Delegate Assembly.
Board Resolution
The Board voted 5 to 2 to adopt a Board Resolution urging the South Carolina General Assembly to repeal the 2021-2022 budget proviso 1.108. Proviso 1.108 serves as a barrier to allow school district leaders to consider every recommended mitigation measure available for the protection of the health and safety of students and staff.
Rainfall Drops
After four straight months of rainfall well over four inches, September’s total was one of the lowest of 2021.
The 2.47 Sept. rainfall brings the year’s total to 42.09. This compares to 46.01 inches during the same time last year.
September’s temperatures were normal, with most days with highs in the 80s. The temperatures ranged from a high of 76 on three different days, to 90 on Sept. 15 and 16. The lowest morning temperature, 48, was recorded on Sept. 25 and 26.
This information was reported by NWS observer Edwin Riley at the Saluda CPW.
September Arrest
Jesus Elizondo
Arrested On Child Assault Charges
Jesus Elizondo has been charged with four counts of Unlawful Conduct towards a child.
This arrest came after deputies responded to a 911 call at Elizondo’s residence on Abney Nursery Road. Elizondo is accused of physically assaulting 4 minor children in his home.
2389 County COVID
Cases, 43 Deaths
Saluda County’s COVID-19 cases total 2389 (1,988 actual, 401 probable), with 43 deaths (2225 last week).
The county had 811 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence. Last week, the figure was 1153 cases per 100,000 with a high incidence rating. Nine weeks ago, the Saluda County figure was 14.7 cases per 100,000 with a low incidence rating.
The number of tests given in Saluda County is 27,868. Saluda County has had 9464 citizens who have started or completed the vaccination process.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: (last weeek - this week) Aiken - 17,611 - 17,995, Edgefield - 3,221 - 3,303; Greenwood 9,692 - 10,067, Lexington - 37,929 - 38,868; Newberry - 5,600 - 5,748.
Fri.., Sept. 24, 2,602 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by state Department of Health and Environmental Control, with 111 confirmed deaths.
Positive tests are at 9.4 percent.
This state total is 677,058, with probable cases 164,542. Confirmed deaths are 10,498 and 1,582 probable deaths.
Be Positive You’re Negative
DHEC urges South Carolinians to be positive you're negative by routinely getting tested if you're regularly out in the community. DHEC-sponsored testing is free, doesn't require insurance, and results are available within 72 hours. DHEC's testing options have expanded to include shallow nasal testing, an oral swab, or a saliva test at different locations.
VACCINATIONS
In Saluda County, 9460 citizens have started vaccinations, including 2074 black, 5236 white, 2150 Hispanic, other or unknown. Saluda County ranks 41st out of 46 counites on the rate of vacine recipients per 10,000 residents, the same ranking as last week. The county’s population aged 12+ is 17,318.
The local sites giving vaccinations are Emmanuel Family Clinic - Saluda (Public health provider – Rural Health Clinic), 501 West Butler Ave, Saluda, SC 29138., and the Saluda County Health Department, Mondays and Wednesdays,445-2141.
COUSINS CELEBRATE - Cousins Drew Arant (12) and Josh Uhlar (8) celebrate after quarterback Drew threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Josh. It turned out to be the winning score in the Saluda junior varsity’s 12-8 win over South Aiken Thurs., Sept. 23, at the Bettis Herlong Stadium a Matthew Field. Also, pictured is Dakota Gentry (61). The varsity Tigers had the week off, and return to action at home Friday against Eau Claire, the first region game of the year. (SHS photo by Dean Roesner)
Farm Bureau Meeting Cancelled
The Saluda County Farm Bureau Federation has cancelled the Annual Meeting, scheduled for September 30, 2021 at the Hollywood Ruritan Club, due to the rise in Covid-19 cases in Saluda. We are deeply sorry but we have the health of everyone to consider. Thank you for understanding.
Car Dealer Arrested
Former Local Car Dealer
Pleads Guilty To Charges
A former car dealer at Saluda Motor Sales has pled guilty multiple charges in Federal Distrct Court, including defrauding multiple individuals and businessess of $2,528,048.
According to a release on Facebook from SaludaNOW, in January 2017 Kelly Sanders took control of Saluda Motor Sales, a family owned and operated business in Saluda for over 75 years. He continued to sale at a high volume for almost three years.
However, prosecutors allege that shortly after beginning to manage the business he was scheming, and misleading investors. The charges brought forward by Federal agents allege that Sanders was using misleading documents, and invoices to ward off creditors.
Sanders pled guilty, and agreed to a plea agreement to make restitution to Benjamin Bradshaw, Ridge Group Investors, and Sandtander Bank. He also agreed to a fine of $250,000.00, a prison term of up to 20 years, probation for 3 years, and a Special Assessment Fee of $100.00.
According to the Federal Court documents obtained by SALUDANow through PaceMonitor, a Court Case clearing house, a plea date has not yet been set by the Court since first agreed upon on September 2, 2021.
Velie Recognized At
County Council Meeting
Brandon Velie of Ridge Spring’s popular Juniper restaurant was recognized at the Sept. meeting of Saluda County Council.
Miriam Atria, Chief Executive Officer at Capital City Lake Murray, recognized Velie as a Tourism Advocate for the Lake Murray area. The awards to several Tourism Advocates were presented at the Capitol City Lake Murray annual meeting, but Velie could not be present because he had to operate his restaurant.
Atria pointed out that Velie is one of seven area chefs chosen to compete in the World Food Championship in Dallas in November.
She also thanked Chairman Jerry Strawbridge for this service on the Capital City Lake Murray board.
In the old business portion of the meeting, Council voted to sell some county property in an Industrial Park to Butler & Son Funeral Home.
In new business, Council gave first reading to an ordinance authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes by and between Saluda County and Project Maple Leaf. The ordinance includes having Project Maple Leaf in a multi-county business park.
Council also passed a resolution authorizing the negotiation of a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes by and between Saluda County and Project Maple Leaf.
Luke Downing from the Fire Board said F.D. Riley had submitted the low bid, $18,500, for land clearing at the Old Town Fire Department project. Council approved this and gave the Fire Board permission to pursue a grant from the Forestry Commission for fire equipment.
Council approved the appointment of Wayne Matthews to the Airport Commission.
At the beginning of the meeting Councilman Jack Atkinson recounted the story of his daughter-in-law who almost waited too late to get Covid treatment. He urged anyone who gets sick from the disease to go to the doctor immmediately.
Good Rainfall Continues
The good summer rainfall continued in August.
The 4.80 Aug. rainfall brings the year’s total to 39.62. This compares to 42.17 inches during the same time last year.
August’s temperatures were normal, with most days with highs in the 90s. The temperatures ranged from a high of 77 on Aug. 7, to 95 on Aug. 1 and 12. The lowest morning temperature, 65, was recorded on Aug. 5..
This information was reported by NWS observer Edwin Riley at the Saluda CPW.
9-11 REMEMBRANCE - In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9-11, Julia Wills and family decorated the hay tractors on her Chappells Hwy. property