2021 Night Out

1st Annual National Night Out

The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Sauda sponsored the National Night Out, featuring inflatibles, food, activities, etc., plus a chance to meet the county’s first responders. (Standard-Sentinel photos)

Saluda County Woman Dies
In One-Vehicle Crash

  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a one vehicle fatal collision near the intersection of Spann Road and Water Tower Road in Ward, Saluda County on Sunday evening.  
  The collision occurred on August 29, 2021, at approximately 8:05 PM.  The driver of the vehicle died at the scene and was identified as Ms. Elisabeth A. Mizell, 46, of Saluda.
  According to Master Trooper Brandon Bolt, the 2021 Mazda hatchback driven by the victim was traveling west on Water Tower when it went off the left side of the road and hit a ditch and an embankment. The victim was wearing a seatbelt.  
  The collision is being investigated by the SC Highway Patrol, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and the Saluda County Coroner’s Office.  The Coroner’s Office extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Mizell.
  The coroner would also like to thank all those who assisted. Special thanks to the Saluda County - Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, EMS and the SC Hwy Patrol.

2095 County COVID
Cases, 42 Deaths

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  cases total 2095 (1,771 actual,  324 probable), with 42 deaths.
  The county had 669 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence.  Last week, the figure was 562 cases per 100,000 with a high incidence rating. Seven 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 24,447. Saluda County has had 8845 citizens who have started or completed the vaccination process.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: (last weeek - this week) Aiken - 15,675 - 16,324,   Edgefield - 2,931 - 3,020;  Greenwood - 8,451 - 8,802, Lexington -    32,664 - 34,214; Newberry -  4,874 - 5,080.
  Thurs., Sept. 2, 3,572 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by state Department of Health and Environmental Control, with 44 confirmed deaths.
  Positive tests are at 14.5 percent.
  This state total is 604,166, with probable cases   141,991. Confirmed deaths  are  9,403 and  1,340 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, 8845 citizens have started vaccinations, including 1942 black, 4897 white,  2006 Hispanic, other or unknown. Saluda County ranks 41st out of 46 counties on the rate of vaccine 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.

DUE TO OUR EARLY LABOR DAY DEADLINE, the folllowing classified ad arrived too late to be included in the September 9 paper. HOUSE TO BE AUCTIONED at Courthouse on Sept. 13, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 baths. 864 396-0079.

Tigers Thrash Trojans

DEFENSE! - Saluda’s JT Lott, Hayden Stoudemire and Javarious Stevens team up to bring down Ridge Spring-Monetta’s Nehemiah Brooks. Also, pictured is the Trojan’s William McKinney (66). (SHS photo by Dean Roesner)

Tigers Thump
Trojans, 43-6

In their second straight lightning delayed game, the Saluda Tigers got the same results, a blowout win over an old rival.
  The victim this time was Ridge Spring-Monetta, who fell 43-6 at the Bettis Herlong Stadium at Matthews Field.
  Saluda led Strom Thurmond 14-0 last week before the delay. Friday, the Tigers ran only one offensive play, and it resulted in an interception by the Trojans of a Jonah McCary pass.
  From their seven, the Trojans moved to the 45, before the lightning delay was called.
  After an over one hour break, the game resumed. On the second play, RSM elected to got for it on fourth and short and the Tigers Javarious Stevens threw Trojan quarterback Remedee Leaphart for a three yard loss and Saluda  took over at the Trojan 43-yard-line.
  Staying primarily on the ground, the Tigers drove in
the for the score in seven plays. The touchdown came on a three-yard run by Montrevious Baker. From their bucket conversion formation, McCary threw to Stevens for the 2-point play.
  Saluda held the Trojans on their next possession, and began their second scoring drive from their 23, after a 41-yard RSM punt. The big play in the drive was a 48-yard pass from McCary to Zion Wright to the RSM nine. On the second play, Baker scored from the three. Once again, the Tigers got two points from the bucket formation. This one was on a run by McCary. The Tigers led 16-0 with 1:42 to go in the first quarter.
  A personal foul penalty against the Trojans sparked Saluda’s next scoring drive. The Tigers mixed the pass and run to go the 69-yards in seven plays. Baker got his third TD of the night on a seven-yard run. This time, the Tigers sent Sam Espinoza to kick the extra and Saluda led 23-0 with 9:52 to go in the half.
  The Tigers’ final scoring drive of the half covered 73-yards and used five McCary completions to pace the march. McCary scored the touchdown on a one-yard run. Espinoza’s kick made the halftime score 30-0.
  Saluda received the second half kick-off and milked the clock on every play. They were able to take almost four minutes off the clock in the 63-yard scoring march. The touchdown came on an 18-yard pass from McCary to Stevens. Espinoza gave the Tigers a 37-0 lead with 8:14 to go in the third quarter.
  Midway in the quarter, Saluda punted for the only time in the game, and the Trojans put together a nice drive behind Leaphart, who completed tree passes and rushed three times on the 77-yard drive. The touchdown came on a three yard run by Ben Kirk. Jaden Jeffery’s kick was no good, making the score 37-6 with 1:16 to go in the quarter.
  The Saluda reserves came in and put together a 91-yard drive, begining in the third and ending in the fourth, continuing to snap the ball with only a few seconds from a delay of game penalty. Saluda used four different running backs along the way. The big play came on a 36-yard run by sophomore Arryion Brown to the Trojan one-yard line. Brown stayed on to score the touchdown. A bad snap foiled with extra point and Saluda led 43-6 with 4:10 to go in the game, and it stayed that way.
  McCary was once again the offensive statistical leader, completed 17 of 23 passes for 202 yards and one score. He also rushed for a touchdown and a two-point play.
  Baker had 64-yards rushing and three touchdowns. Wright led the receiving with seven catches.
  The Tiger defense had its second straight outstanding game. They only claimed one turnover, compared to last week’s five, but they held the Trojan team that beat Batesburg-Leesville last week to 47-yards rushing and 109 through the air.
  Due to McCormick’s region’s decision to move their region schedule to the front of the schedule, Saluda had to find and new opponent, and came up with a game at Midland Valley in two weeks.
  This Friday’s game with Ninety Six has been postponed due to a Covid issue with the Tigers.

TOP AGRICULTURE GRADUATE - Makayla Porter of Saluda was named Piedmont Technical College’s outstanding agriculture graduate at the 45th Annual Student Awards and Recognition Program.

August Council Meeting

Fee Protest Presentation
Cut Short At Meeting

At the Aug. 9. County Council meeting, a citizen’s protest of last year’s road user fee, was cut short when his presentation exceeded the allotted time limit.
  Sean Howard had been seen at the Courthouse last week holding up signs saying the road fee was illegal and the $25 should be refunded. Signs about the County  Council meeting were also placed at the Traffic Circle.
  Before Howard began his presentation, County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbridge informed him he had seven minutes, as per meeting policy.
  Howard said he did not think he could complete his presentation in seven minutes, but would cut some portions.
 The gist of Howard’s presentation was a ruling by the S.C. Supreme Court that a law in Greenville County, similar to Saluda, he said; was illegal.
  He then explained what Saluda County should have done, like creating special tax districts, and holding a referendum.
  As he read off more legal findings, Howard was informed that his time was up.
  Howard asked the Council members to vote to extend his time, but that did not happen.
  Strawbridge asked Howard to make five copies of  his presentation, so staff and council members could read it.
  Strawbridge then read a statement that a ruling against Greenvillle County does not invalidate anything to do with Saluda County. He said until Saluda’s fee is proved invalid, it will remain as an established county law.
  Council established the $25 per vehicle road use fee due to a budget shortfall in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. The funds collected were designed to go to the Road & Bridge Department, replacing that department’s budget allotment and moving that allotment to the general fund.
  When the financial situation improved the next year, the fee was rescinded.
  In old  business, Council gave second reading to an ordinance to establish a county prohibition on the infringement of the right to keep and bear arms and designating Saluda County as a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
  Council approved a request to seek bids for construction of the Old Town Fire Department.
  A Covid Leave Policy update was approved at the recommendation of Hardee Horne, as was travel allowance changes.
  At the beginning of the meeting, the Council members applauded the Recreation Department’s two youth teams that made it to their respective World Series.

SAVE THE DATE For a Celebration
Of the Life of Bela P. Herlong

  On August 21, 2021, the family of Bela Herlong invite the public to join them at 2 p.m. at the Saluda Theater for a celebration of her life.   The event, entitled “A Certain View: A Celebration of the Life and Poetry of Bela Herlong,” is modelled after Mrs. Herlong’s own Prism events. As director of the Saluda High literary magazine, Mrs. Herlong worked with Gloria Caldwell each year to craft a dramatic piece showcasing the student’s work.
  “I did the same thing,” Madaline Herlong reported. “I used her poems to tell the story of her life.
  “It felt so wrong for Mama to leave us without our giving her a proper goodbye,” Madaline continued. “And we know that there are dozens of students, friends, church members—all kinds of people—who felt the same lack we did.
  “We hope EVERYONE can come and share with us our gratitude for her life, her poetry, and the love she held for family, friends, and the world.”

Museum Exhibit

  A celebration of the life of Dr. Bela Herlong will be held at the Saluda Theater and Museum on August 21.
  If you have any Saluda High School memorabilia that you’d like to share, please contact Bob Horne at 864-992-6754 -OR- call the museum at 864-445-8550 during regular hours M-F 10am-4pm or Saturday 10am-1pm.....you can also drop off at the museum.
  ALSO, currently on display at the museum are five trophies won by the 10U Girls Angels All-Star District Champions, the 10U Angels Softball team - State Champions —AND— the 10U Boys Baseball State Runner-up , and 10U Dixie Youth World Series - Runner-up —AND— 8U Boys Baseball State Runner-up.

NEW TEAM - The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office would like to welcome the newest member of our team. Pictured  is K-9 Grizzly along with his partner, Corporal James Schaffer. Grizzly and Corporal Schaffer recently graduated from an extensive certification training at Custom K-9’s. Grizzly will serve as a patrol K-9 and will work to keep Saluda County safe.