2022 Tractor Pull

43rd Annual Truck
and Tractor Pull

  The Saluda Young Farmers 43rd Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 30th at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.  
  The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers / Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 7pm.  Ticket gates and pit will open at 4pm.  
  Ticket prices are as follows:  Adults - $20, Children 6 to 12 - $10, 5 and under – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers).  Cash, credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate.  Concessions will also be available.
  The 2022 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well.  Recipients this year include:  Quinten Miller, Makayla Porter, Wyatt Doolittle, Layne Crouch, and Drew Proctor.  Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program.
  Bring a chair – stand seating is limited.  There will be no charge for parking and no additional charges for entering the pit.
  Trackside parking (40 spaces, 10 ft. wide) will go on sale July 5. Please check out https://saludayoungfarmer.org/trackside-parking/ before calling to know which space you would like to purchase. There are (3) handicap spaces available, but proof of handicap must be provided. To purchase trackside parking, contact Dan Rodgers at (864) 980-1758 after 5 PM. All trackside parking spots are $90 for the night. This includes 2 adult passes and parking spot.
  Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
  Check out www.Saluda YoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at “Saluda SC Tractor Pull.”

STATE CHAMPIONS

  Saluda County Recreation Department’s 12U All-Star softball team won the state championship Mon., July 18, in Lancaster, earning a trip to the Dixie Youth World Series in Louisiana in a few days.
  Saluda’s team went undefeated through a field that also included Lancaster, South Spartanburg, Jefferson, Sumter, Georgetown, Lewisville and Andrews. The local team defeated Andrews 10-2 to claim the title.
  Members of the team are Ensley Patterson, Kamryn Campbell, Nyla Jordan, Karen Almarez, Miller Martin, Aubrey “Boots Marnati, Ashlynn Vereen, Blythe Buzhardt, Resse Shaw, Kylee McGlohorn, Ava Forrest and Adylynn Holsomback. Jeffery Jordan is the head coach, and Daniel Patterson and Lee Wertz are the assistants.
  This is  basically the same team that won the state championship in a different classification last year. That World Series was  held in Moncks Corner and the Saluda team finished third.
  Moncks Corner is a whole lot closer than Louisiana. There have been several fund-raisers to help sponsors the trip. If you like to contribute, there is a link on the Saluda County Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Lake Murray Suspected
Drowning Death

  Saluda County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a suspected drowning who was recovered from an area of Lake Murray near Little River Landing shortly before 9:30 AM on Wednesday, July 20, 2022.
  The victim has been identified by Coroner Keith Turner as Ernie K. Wertz, age 72 of Saluda.  According to the Coroner, Mr. Wertz was recovered from the water by SC DNR and pronounced dead at the scene.   Mr. Wertz had been the occupant of a small boat prior to apparently falling into the water from the boat on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 19th. Search and rescue teams were called to the scene late yesterday afternoon and worked until approximately midnight trying to locate the victim.  
  The search resumed early this morning with the continued help of dive teams from SC DNR, Newberry County Water Rescue & Dive Team, Little Mountain Rescue Squad and Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.  
  The Coroner’s Office is grateful for the efforts and teamwork of all of the agencies that assisted in recovering Mr. Wertz. We also would like to thank the property owners and citizens near the scene for their assistance.  
  The incident is under investigation by SC DNR, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and Saluda County Coro-ner’s Office.
  Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of Mr. Wertz.

Saluda Man Dies
In Collison

  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reported a motor vehicle collision occurred on July 18, 2022 at approximately 5:45 PM at the intersection of Batesburg Highway and South Jennings Street in the town of Saluda.  
  The two-vehicle collision involved an SUV and a tractor trailer truck.  The driver of the SUV unfortunately died at the scene and was later identified as Mr. Jahsiri Ahmad Abdul Moyenda, age 56 of Saluda.   The collision is being investigated by the Saluda Police Department, SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office.  
  The coroner’s office would like to thank the first responders of the Saluda County EMS, Saluda Police Department, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Fire Service, SC Highway Patrol and State Transport Police for their assistance at the scene.  
  The coroner’s office extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Moyenda.

County Land Deal

Council Paves Way
For Tractor Supply

  Saluda County Council took action Mon., July 11, that sets the stage for a Tractor Supply store to locate in Saluda.
  Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance that will allow the county to sell acreage at the intersection of North Bouknight Ferry Rd. and Columbia Hwy. to F&A of Saluda, LLC.
  The decision did not come without some controversy.
  During the public hearing on the ordinance, Almastine Butler of Butler & Son Funeral Home asked Council what changed between last year and this year. Last year,  she asked Council to sell her business some of the county land, so a new funeral home could be built. Her request was turned down, because the Council then wanted to keep the land for industrial development.
  “This is a slap in the face to us,” Mrs. Butler said, adding the funeral home had been in business in Saluda for nearly 100-years, and was not going anywhere.
  “I want to know what changed your minds,” she said. “Did it have anything to do with the color of my skin or the money?”
  Kevin Crouch of Crouch Hardware said he was a former County Council candidate and is as pro growth was anyone, but said there is nothing on the shelves of Tractor Supply that can’t already be bought in Saluda.
  He mentioned 100-year-old C.B. Forrest and Son, Rodgers Fertilizer and The Hardware Store that have  been in business 40 to 50 years, and his Crouch Hardware, that began business eight years ago.
  He asked Council if they had any concern for the local existing businesses, or were they considering selling the land just for the money.
  When the ordinance came up for a vote, Councilman Jack Atkinson said he opposed the sale, because he thought the land should be saved for industries that could employ hundreds. Atkinson was the only councilman to vote against the ordinance.
  The meeting was the first for new County Council Chairman Jim Moore, and it turn out to be one of the longest meetings in years, featuring many long presentations.
  Ann Watkins asked Council to consider animal control. She told of a Saluda woman who was recently bitten by a dog and had to take rabies shots. Her medical bill so far has been $13,000, and she has more shots to take. The owner of the dog was fined $500.
  She produced figures that showed 18 dogs running free can result in  128 dogs the next year, 512 in year two, 2048 in year three, 12,000 in year four, and 67,000 in year five.
  James H. Allen of the Cherokee Nation discussed the Saluda Old Town Treaty of 1755, in which the Cherokees ceded lands to the British that now encompasses many S.C. counties. With the Revolutionary War just over 20 years away, the treaty had national and worldwide significance.
  Allen said “Saluda” is a Cherokee word, like the towns of Walhalla and Seneca. He said his tribal leaders would like to meet with county leaders and issue a letter of goodwill between the two entities. The letter could be placed in the museum.
  Council gave third and final reading to an ordinance providing for the recovery of costs by service charges from users of fire protection and emergency services.
  Fire coordinator Luke Downing said the fee would only be charged if citizens have emergency calls included in their insurance. Atkinson asked of the fee will cause insurance premiums to go up.
  Third reading approval was given to the ordinance stating a referendum will be held and the county voters will decide of they want to keep the present council form of government with five council members, or adopt the council-administrator form of government with five council members.
  Moore said he had been studying the ordinance and wondered if it would cost more money if the change in government passes, and the ordinance could fail if Council voted it down. Other councilmen said the voters should decide. The ordinance passed 3-2.
  Council approved signing an agreement with Pawmetto Life Line for a spay and neuter program for Saluda County animals. A van will come from Newberry to pick up animals and they will be returned the next day.
  True Blue Service was approved for painting the Westview Behavioral Health Building for $12,500, to be paid from the Public Building Repair Account.
  Council awarded the contract to Aiken Electric Cooperative to install broadband to underserved areas of Saluda County.
  Aiken Co-op CEO Gary Stooksbury, said the project will cost $2 million, with Aiken paying half the cost. The Saluda County Airport and 567 residences will be reached. Saluda County’s portion will be paid from American Rescue Plan Act funds.
  A $500,000 grant from Upper Savannah to buy a new fire truck was approved. The county match will be $50,000.
  Auditor Memmus Forrest and Assessor Justin Ridgell discussed the Agriculture Tax decision passed by the state.

Car Dealer Sentenced

  Former Saluda car dealer Kelly Wesley Sanders was sentenced on Thursday, July 7, 2022 after he pled guilty on October 7, 2021 to wire Fraud.
  U.S. District Court The Honorable Judge Donald C. Coggins Jr ordered Sanders to repay over $2 million in restitution to Benjamin Bradshaw, and others. He also sentenced him to five years Probation.
  According to Pacer Monitor.com, beginning in 2017 Sanders  purchased part ownership in Saluda Motor Sales Inc., and assumed daily operations of the car dealership.
  During that time he ran up over $200,000.00 in credit card debt, sent Santander Bank invoices for over 40 vehicles totaling almost $2 million , and then the bank give him a long-term financing agre-ement listing Bradshaw as the guarantor. He used all the money for personal expenses, and sham car repairs.
  He then convinced another car dealer to invest $500,000 in another vehicle dealership while using the money to make payments to Santander Bank that he owed from Saluda Motor Sales.
  In late 2018 the investors filed a lawsuit saying that Sanders had trans-ferred almost a quarter of a millions dollars to the banks. He then said, and employee had put it in the wrong account.
  Santander Bank asked for an audit to be done of Saluda Motor Sales, Inc. The Audit revaled over $2 Million dollars on missing inventory.
  Last October Sanders pled guilty to Wire Fraud. He agreed to make restitution payments of 1.6 Million to Santander Bank, over $360,000 to Bradshaw, and over $530,000 to investors.
  From SaludaNOW

 
 
 

Gas Theft Arrests

Larceny of Gasoline leads to Drug Charges

  Sheriff Josh Price is announcing the arrests of four individuals.
  These arrests stemmed from an investigation of gasoline theft that has led to drugs charges and the recovery of stolen property.
  On June 11th, deputies responded to Wiz’s Gas Station in reference to theft of gasoline. Deputies learned that during the morning hours before the store opened, subjects used an illegal device to steal over $231.00 of gasoline from the business.
  Through the investigation, Investigators identified Retha Rena Koon, Ryan Krehl, Jennifer McCary, and Brian Bledsoe as the suspects. A search warrant was obtained for the residence of Retha Koon along with arrest warrants for Retha Koon, Ryan Krehl, Jennifer McCary, and Brian Bledsoe for the offenses of Breaking into a Fuel Pump and Failure to pay for Gasoline.
  On June 30th, Investigators executed a search warrant at a Koon’s residence on Trotter Road. Upon entry into the residence, deputies located Koon and Krehl. Deputies observed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia on a table next to Koon and Krehl. Deputies obtained an additional search warrant related to illegal narcotics being in the residence.
  Upon execution of this search warrant, deputies located a large quantity of methamphetamine and other narcotics inside the residence. Both Koon and Krehl were arrested and transported to the Saluda County Detention Center. They are additionally charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and four counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule 2 Narcotic.
  July 1, deputies executed a search warrant at the residence of Ryan Krehl on West Creek Road. Deputies arrested Jennifer McCary and Brian Bledsoe who were at the residence, for the gasoline theft related offenses. Also, on the property deputies located a camper that was stolen out of Lexington County.
  Ryan Krehl, Jennifer McCary, and Brian Bledsoe will be additionally charged with Possession of Stolen Property valued at over $20,000.

Coroner Turner Recognized

The Saluda County Coroner’s Office staff and the South Carolina Coroner’s Association would like to congratulate Coroner Keith Turner for being awarded the 2022 Sue Townsend Award.  The award was presented at the association’s annual conference last week in Myrtle Beach.  This award was named for former Aiken County Coroner Sue Townsend, who was instrumental in supporting not only her county for over 20 years, but also the SC Coroner’s Association and her fellow coroners throughout the state.  The recipient of this award exemplifies Sue Townsend in his service and tenacity.  Keith Turner has served as Coroner of Saluda County for almost 30 years.

Saluda Man Dies In Accident

  A Saluda man died in a one-vehicle accident Tues., July 5.
  The victim was identified as Mr. Paul Smith Jr., age 57.  
  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reports the  collision occurred around 10:20 AM on Greenwood Hwy (Hwy 178) near Rolling Meadows Lane in Saluda.  
  The one vehicle collision involved a pick-up truck exiting the highway and overturning. The driver was ejected from the vehicle. The driver was transported by Saluda County EMS to Self-Regional Healthcare and later died of his injuries.  
  The collision is being investigated by the SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office.  
  The Coroner’s Office would like to thank the first responders of the Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County Fire Service and SC Hwy Patrol for their assistance.  
  The Coroner’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Smith.