Homecoming

LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW - Little Caylie Berry looks out the window as her family drives down Main Street.

Trotter Billboard on South Main Street (Photos by Tavy Thompson Bartley)

Caylie Comes Home

Family and friends joined together on Main Street, Saluda, Sat., Oct. 8, to welcome home 9-month-old Caylie Berry and her family. For the past five months Caylie has been receiving cancer treatment at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Last week, Caylie’s parents, Kayla Smith and Scott Berry, got the devastating news Caylie’s cancer had spread and there was nothing more the doctors could do. The family packed up and came home, where Caylie will be surounded by love and prayers.

M.S.M. Program
Catching on at Lander

Story by Jeff Lagrone

  A year after the establishment of its new Master of Science in Management degree, Lander University’s College of Business has its first four graduates of the program.
  The M.S.M is a specialized program offering in-depth managerial skills, unlike broader, more general master’s in business administration programs. It’s proving to be a popular degree at Lander.
  Dr. Michael Brizek, interim dean of the College of Business, singled out several reasons for the popularity of the program. Students like the idea of being able to earn a quality master’s degree in management in a year, he said. He added, however, that students can also take up to six years to complete the program, if they wish.
  The ability to enter the program despite having an undergraduate degree in a field other than business is also attractive to students. Only one prerequisite is required of such students, B.A. 600, which provides what Brizek calls an “advanced overview of business fundamentals.”
  It’s also possible for students to gain admittance to the program despite not having taken the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT). In such instances, as long as students earn at least a 3.2 grade point average on the first nine credit hours of required coursework, and complete those courses within their first two semesters in the program, the GMAT requirement is waived.
  The fact that the program is fully online makes it an option for students who have already entered the work force, or who have other responsibilities and commitments, and students pay no more than they would to attend undergraduate classes at Lander.
  “It’s quite affordable,” Brizek said, adding that Lander’s accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) confers additional value upon a business degree from Lander.

JUAN HERNANDEZ

  The first recipients of the M.S.M. degree were united in their praise of the program. Juan Hernandez, of Saluda, called his experience “amazing. I learned so much in the space of a year, from the R & R Commander program to strategy formulation and implementation. The M.S.M degree also helped me expand my knowledge in quality and supply chain management.”
  Meg LaCombe, of Beaufort, Sarah Prince, of Forsyth County, Ga.,Amanda Fallaw, of Ninety Six, were the other graduates.
  Applications are still being accepted for Lander’s M.S.M. program. Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Application forms may be requested by writing the Office of Admissions, Lander University, Greenwood, SC 29649; by phoning 1-888-452-6337; or by emailing admissions@ lander.edu.

Extension Offices
Reopening Soon

  Clemson, S.C. – The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service announced plans to reopen its county offices during a recent townhall meeting led by director Dr. Thomas Dobbins.
  The plan calls for all Clemson Extension employees to be tested for COVID-19 and for county offices to be reopened based on weekly infection rates in each county as reported by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
  “Clemson Extension is in the business of imparting science-based information to the citizens of South Carolina, and science will determine our decisions on reopening offices. Our number one priority is to keep our clients and staff safe and healthy,” Dobbins emphasized.
  Clemson Extension closed all 46 county offices on March 18 and agents were instructed to visit clients only on an as-needed basis and with supervisor approval. In-person visits followed all protocols set by public health officials, including social distancing and mask wearing. The modified operations also included virtual meetings and program delivery.
  Offices will reopen in stages based on SCDHEC county-by-county data on two-week cumulative incidence rate, trend in incidence rate and two-week percent positive rate:
  · High Disease Activity Level: Office will remain closed to staff, public and volunteers.
  · Medium Disease Activity Level: Office will remain closed to public and volunteers; no in-person office meetings or program hosting; office will be staffed on a staggered rotation.
  · Low Disease Activity Level: Office will reopen to the public with some constraints.
  “Extension personnel have not stopped serving the citizens of South Carolina since we began modified operations back in March,” Dobbins said. “Our impact data shows that we have done an outstanding job of staying connected to our stakeholders to continue delivering vital information and education.”

Home Values

County’s Home
Values Rise

  A new study from financial technology com-pany SmartAsset has found the places in South Carolina where home values have risen the most.
  The home value rankings are one factor in a three part study on the places receiving the most value for their property taxes. The analysis measures the change in home values in each county throughout a five-year period.
  For a look at the places in South Carolina where home values have risen the most, check out the table below:

  For additional information on the rankings, including the methodology and interactive map, check here: https://smartasset.com/taxes/south-carolina-property-tax-calculator#us/growth

CARES Business Loans May Be Available

  Businesses which were temporarily forced to close, experienced loss of revenue or were otherwise negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic might be eligible for business loans from the new Upper Savannah CARES Revolving Loan Fund (CARES RLF). Also, businesses whose products or services are in high demand due to the pandemic could be eligible.
  The lending area includes Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda counties.
     The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $1.5 billion to the EDA for economic development assistance programs to “help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” As part of the CARES Act, funding was provided to expand Upper Savannah’s RLF capacity.
  The total available in the new CARES RLF is $760,000.
  Working capital loans of up to $50,000 are available at terms of up to five years at a 1 percent fixed rate. Real estate and equipment loans of up to $100,000 are available at terms of up to 15 years at a 2.5 percent fixed rate.  This is not a forgivable loan.
  “We are very fortunate to be able to receive these new CARES Act RLF funds on behalf of our Upper Savannah region,” said Upper Savannah Assistant Director Sam Leaman, who administers the loans.
  “These funds will not only help businesses survive the economic fallout from this pandemic but provide economic resiliency going forward,” he said.
  Leaman has operated the original RLF since it was created 32 years ago to be an alternative funding source available to start-up and expanding businesses in the Upper Savannah Council of Governments region of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Saluda counties. In 2015, Newberry and Lexington counties were added to the eligible list of counties.
  Generally, this program is designed to fill the gap between the financing available from traditional private sector sources (i.e. bank loans and equity) and the total financing need. To be eligible, these projects must result in the creation of permanent jobs and leverage private sector investment. This RLF continues to operate and has funds available but at less attractive terms.
  The new CARES RLF is available to businesses partially or completely closed by local or state officials to stop the spread of the coronavirus such as restaurants, certain retail stores, personal services, etc.
  Loans are also available to businesses forced to close or curtail operations due to employees testing positive for the coronavirus.
  Businesses experiencing loss of revenue due to the general economic downturn or logistical problems are also eligible as well as those negatively impacted by other factors linked to the pandemic.
  Businesses whose products or services are in high demand due to the virus will also be targeted for lending. For example, there are businesses in the Upper Savannah Region that manufacture medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, and components for medical equipment.
  Borrowers, lenders and others interested in helping small businesses are encouraged to call Leaman at 864-941-8056 for more information.

Going The Distance For Caylie

  5K, 10K, 13.1, & 26.2 event on Saturday, December 5, 2020, at the Saluda Park. Donate & run/walk! This is not an official race. It will not be timed. We are running/walking in honor of this sweet little girl, Caylie, who is fighting cancer. ALL PROCEEDS will go to help her & her family (Kayla Leigh Smith & Scott Berry). Caylie is 9 months old and has been fighting since she was 4 1/2 months old. She is an Embryonal Tumor Fighter!
  Please contact Susan Stevens Berry or Debbie Kirkland for more information and to get an application/registered.

Wreck Takes Life

Ninety Six Man Dies
Of Accident Injuries

  A Ninety Six man died two days after a crash in Saluda County, authorities report.  
  Lafayette Robinson, 73, died Wednesday after a motor vehicle collision on Monday, September 21st, according to Saluda County Coroner’s Office chief investigator Angie Rita.
  The wreck happened at approximately 5:58 a.m. Monday along Old Charleston Road near Cliff Road, which is 8 miles west of Saluda.
  According to SC Highway Patrol, a westbound 2015 Dodge Ram crossed the centerline, striking a 2017 Ford F-450 that was heading east. The Dodge Ram then went off the left side of the road and struck a tree.
  Mr. Robinson, who was driving the Dodge Ram, was mechanically extricated from the vehicle, and taken to the hospital by Saluda County EMS, where he died two days later.  The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.
  An autopsy was performed with results pending.  The SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office continue to investigate.

WE HAVE MOVED

  With the sale of the building the Standard-Sentinel has occupied the last five years, our office has moved to a new location.
  This move and COVID-19 is bringing about a major change in how the newspaper operates. The new location will be for inserting and mailing the paper only. The building is currently not open to the public. There will be no phone, fax or internet service. We are also changing our deadline for all items, including classifieds, to Friday.
  Jackie Kidd and Ralph Shealy will do the newspaper work from their respective homes. A drop box for news, ads and renewals will be set up at a site, yet to be determined,
  Please email information to sentinel@saludasc. com, or mail to Saluda Standard-Sentinel, P.O. 668, Saluda, SC 29138.
  To contact by phone, call 864 445-8631.
  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. We hope to be more organized in the days ahead.

Postponement of Gentry
Golf Tournament

  The 2020 Larry E. Gentry Memorial Golf Tournament usually played the first Sunday in October, has been postponed for this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  Matt Gentry stated that unfortunately, this is the first time in 23 years that the tournament has not been held, but we feel that the health and well-being of everyone associated with this event is most important.   While the tournament may not be played this year, the Memorial Scholarship will still be awarded this spring. This is made possible due to the generosity of supporters over the last 23 years.
  Thank you to the players, supporters and friends in Saluda that have helped make this so successful. We look forward to seeing everyone in the fall of 2021.

689 County COVID
Cases, 19 Deaths

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  cases have risen to 689, with 19  deaths.
  The county is classified as low incidence with a rate of 83 per 100,000.  Last week, the figure was 298 cases per 100,000 with a moderatel;y high incidence rating.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 3873;  Edgefield - 791;  Greenwood -2156; Lexington - 7019; Newberry -1210.
   Sun., Sept. 27, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced 569 new confirmed cases and 16 new probable cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 3 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths.
  This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 141,909, probable cases to 3,978, confirmed deaths to 3,144, and 182 probable deaths.