February Court Cases

Trial Highlights
Court Session

  Forty-five cases were cleared during the recently concluded, two-week session of Saluda County General Sessions Court.
  Most of the first week was taken up with a jury trial. Genetha Tokia Yeldell was tried on two separate counts of ill treatment on animals. She was found not guilty on one charge, but was found guilty on the other. She was sentenced to community service at the Greenwood Humane Society.
  Sentence on guilty pleas were the following:
  Kimberly Hare Lee, burglary second degree, three years, concurrent with other charge. Louis Wade Medina, possession of other controlled substance, Schedule I to V, first offense, seven days.
  Mark Edward Harmon Jr., accessory after the fact of a felony, five days. Akem Ahmad Robinson, failure to comply with direction of a policeman, fireman or crossing guard, 30 days.
  Justin Ray Whittle, forgery, one day. Ashley Nichol Adkins, petit larceny, $2000 or less, 100 days. Jonathan Cade Barksdale, assault & battery third degree, two days.
  Cecil Eugene Byers, receiving stolen goods, $2000-10,000, three years, suspended to five years probation; domestic violence third degree, 90 days, suspended to five years probation. Kelvin Bernard Sims, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, one day.
  Rickie Smith Jr, failure to stop for blue light, one day. Michael Anthony Johnson Jr., DUS, license not lost due to DUI, one day.
  Lavondre Dashawn Mix, unlawful carrying of a pistol, one day. Tambia Tyler Willock, possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base, first offense, one day.
  Colette Coleman Reed, breaking into motor vehicle or tanks, pumps where fuel, lubricants stored, 180 days. Samantha LeeAnne Hall,  possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, four days.  
  Carlos Valintin Pineda, possession of less than 28 grams of marijuana or less than ten grams of hash, 1st offense, two days. Cruise Antonio Rauch, burglary (violent) second degree, 10 years.
  Alonzo Craig Hawes, Jr., accessory after the fact of a felony, one years, suspended to two years probation. Rapheal Laryan Tucker, public disorderly conduct, two days.
  Doris Elizabeth Hook, burglary third degree, 1st offense, four years, suspended to 10 days and three years probation. Charles Edward Way, Jr., burglary third degree, 1st offense, two years, suspended to 128 days and two years probation.
  Daniel Brian Chapman, malicious injury to animals, personal property, values less than $2000, five years, suspended to 171 days and four years probation. Richard Brinson, possession, concealment, sell, of dispose of  stolen vehicle, value $10,000 or more, five years, suspended to 110 days and three years probation.
  Pedero Luis Cadera Lopez, assault and battery 2nd degree, 120 days. Kole J. Johnson,  possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, two days.
  James William McKinney IV, felony DUI, resulting in great bodily injury, eight years, upon service of 30 days, suspended to three years probation. Miguel Ramos, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, two days.
  Kimberly Hall Lee, grand larceny, $2000-10,000, three years, concurrent. Michael Derrick Brown, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, two days.
  Jay Ulmer Williams, unlawful use of 911, one day. Matthew Thomas Stoudemayer, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, three days.
  Antonio James Maurice Stroman, unlawful carrying of a pistol, $100.
  Corwin Carswell Roberts, unlawful carrying of a pistol, $100. Jerry Lee Wise, forgery, over $10,000, four years, suspended to three years probation.
  Jonathan Orien West, blackmail or extortion, three years, suspended to four years probation. Lonnie Stephen Randall, failure to stop for a blue light, three years, suspended to three years probation.
  Anthony Dale Gillian, possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base, first offense, one year, suspended to two days and 18 months probation Killijah Deva Herbert, DUS, license not suspended due to DUI, third or subsequent offense, two days.
  Danny Renae Samuels,  possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, one day.  Tyrie DeVelle Weaver, DUS, license not suspended due to DUI, second offense, one day.
  Billy Wayne Zachary, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, four days. Margaret Anderson Scott, obtaining signature or property under false pretenses, value less than $2000, three days.
  James Audie Adams, possession of other controlled substance, 1st offense, two days. Roosevelt Antonia Williams, DUI, less than .10, first offense, one day.

Chairman Remembered

LATE CHAIRMAN REMEMBERED - Late County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbirdge was remembered in Councilman Frank Daniel’s invocation Mon., Feb. 14. Strawbridege’s chair was draped by a black ribbon.

Late County Council
Chairman Remembered

  Saluda County Council remembered their late chairman, Jerry Strawbridge, at the Mon., Feb. 14, meeting.
  Strawbridge’s chair was draped by a black ribbon, and Councilman Frank Daniel remembered the Strawbridge  family in his invocation.
  Daniel, Jack Atkinson, Acting Chairman Justin Anderson and Carey Bedenbaugh all expressed their condolences. Bedenbaugh thanked the many county employees who attended Strawbridge’s funeral the day before at Rehoboth United Methodist Church.
  The meeting began on a public hearing on an ordinance granting a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes for Project Thunder II, and authorizing the expansion of a multi-county business park. No one spoke except an official with the solar company, who volunteered to answer any questions from the council members, but none were asked,
  In the old business, council gave third reading approval of the Project Thunder ordinance,  second reading  to an the ordinance creating and establishing the four single-member election districts for the election of County Council members. It will replace the 2011 ordinance and second reading was given to an ordinance authorizing the expansion of the boundaries of a multi-county business park to include certain parcels of real property comprising the project and to provide for a special source revenue credit agreement by and between Saluda County, and BOJ of WNC, LLC and SC Saluda Main, LLC, with respect to certain economic development property in the county, and other matters related thereto.
  In new business, Council voted to pay the $36,000 employer health insurance increase from contingency.
  Council approved purchasing a used federal/state surplus vehicle from Vehicle Reserve for the coroner’s office, and setting the currently used vehicle aside to serve as a  back-up.
  The Fire Coordinators vehicle was added to the Enterprise Lease Program.
  Being the meeting was held on Valentine’s Day, it was adjourned after 20 minutes.

PAST RECIPIENTS - Past recipients of the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year pose with John and Kelly White of State Farm - Kelly White Agency.

TOP HONOR - Lauren Yonce of the Mayson Fire Department was named the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year. The plaqur was presented by Kelly White of State Farm - Kelly White Agency.

Yonce Named Firefighter Of Year

  State Farm-Kelly White Agency was  presented the 2021 the Saluda County Firefighter Award to Lauren Yonce, member of Mayson Fire Department.
  They agency has sponsored the award for the past 24 years. They were also proud to have a reunion of the past recipients.
  Andy Horne received the Rookie SCFS award and Danny Longshore was the SCFS officer of the year.
  The dinner was held at St.Paul UMC in the Family Life Center. The beautiful table decorations were arranged by Julia Wills and Amy Price. Mrs. Wills shared that no one can fill the firefighters boots and we truly all appreciate each firefighter’s dedication and loyal service to each citizen of Saluda County.

Council Chairman Dies

REMEMBERED IN CONGRESS - Third District Congressman Jeff Duncan remembered Saluda County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbridge in a session of the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Strawbridge died Mon., Feb. 7. (YourTube screen capture)

County Council Chairman
Jerry Strawbridge Dies

  Saluda County Council Chairman Raymond "Jerry" Gerald Strawbridge, 79, died at his home, Mon., February 7, losing a battle with cancer.
  Strawbridge is the fourth County Council Chairman since 2004 to either die or resign while in office.
  In 2004 Bernard Horne, 56, died of heart disease just a few weeks into the second year of  his second term.
  Horne’s son Hardee won the special election to succeed Bernard. Hardee Horne completed his father’s term and won re-election. Near the end of this second term he announced he could no seek re-election because of the Hatch Act. The Hatch Act is a United States federal law whose main provision is to prohibit federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity. Horne was at the time employed by the Employment Security Commission.
  In 2010, Don Hancock, a Democrat, took a close 3184-3009 decision over Saluda County Republican Party Chairman Strawbridge for County Council Chairman. Hancock took 51.5 percent of the vote to Strawbridge’s 48.5.
  In his second term, Hancock, 64, died Tues., Aug. 2, 2017, after a more than year long battle with cancer.
  Republican Derrick Jones, a Saluda pastor,  was elected Saluda County Council Chairman Tues., Dec. 19, 2017, defeating Democrat Frank Daniel 961-576 in the special election to fill Hancock’s unexpired term.
  Jones abruptly resigned Fri., Nov. 8., 2019.  In his letter Jones gave no reason for his decision, other than to say it was time to resign.  On Sun., Nov. 10, Jones also resigned as pastor of Saluda Church of God, citing health reasons.
  The special election to fill the unexpired term of Jones was rescheduled several times due to the Corona virus. Strawbridge defeated Democrat Darren Horne for Saluda County Council Chairman Tues., July 14., 2020. The final tally was 1169-521 in Strawbridge’s favor. Strawbridge was sworn into office two days later.
  Strawbridge’s last appearance at a public meeting was in November 2021.
  The candidate filing period for County Council Chair Special Election for Saluda County will open at noon on February 25, 2022, and close at noon on March 5, 2022.
  If any party primary is necessary to determine the party nominee (multiple candidates file for a party nomination), primaries will be held on April 19, 2022. Any necessary runoffs will be held on May 3, 2022.
  Strawbridge was born on July 5, 1942. After graduating from Myrtle Beach High School in 1960, he joined the South Carolina National Guard where he served 40 years. Upon his retirement, he held rank of Sergeant Major for 14 years. He was a Past Master of Pacific Masonic Lodge and member of Saluda Masonic Lodge. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, as well as a Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 10th Masonic District.
  Strawbridge was previously Chair of the Republican Party of Saluda County, Chair of Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority, and current Chairman of the Saluda County Council. He was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church where he served as Chairman of the Administrative Council, was a Sunday School teacher, and delivered several testimonies of his faith.
  Surviving are his wife of 35 years, Denise Rowsam Strawbridge, three daughters, Angela Thompson (John), Katherine Carter (James) and Ashley Rose (Tyler), one son, Raymond Strawbridge, Jr. (Dawn), five sisters, Dianne Aikman (Michael) of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Brenda Joyner (Wayne) of Lugoff, Linda Turbyfill (Arthur) of Lugoff, Margo Brooks (Larry) of Dallas, TX and Barbara Jean Stamper (Ryan) of Mansfield, OH, and seven grandchildren, Jacob, Daniel, Phillip, Lee, Clayton, Mason and Kaylin.
  Services were held Sun., Feb. 13, at Rehoboth.

3837 County COVID
Cases, 56 Deaths

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  cases total 3837 (3,103 actual, 734 probable), with 56 deaths (3793 last week).
  The county had 723 cases per 100,000, classified as a high incidence.  Last week, the figure was   1309 cases per 100,000 with a high incidence rating. Twenty-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 40,078. Saluda County.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following cases (3 weeks): Aiken - 26,034  - 26,900 - 27,290;   Edgefield -   4,618 - 4,764 - 4,856;  Greenwood - 17,988 - 18,839 - 19,163; Lexington - 67,201 - 69,945 - 71,183; Newberry -  9,952 - 10,303 - 10,499.
  Thurs., Feb. 11, 1,647 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by state Department of Health and Environmental Control, with 87 confirmed deaths.
  Positive tests were 13.8%.
  The state total is 1,122,736, with 308,331 probable, and 308,331 deaths and 2,352 probable.
  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.
  The local sites giving vaccinations are Emmanuel Family Clinic - Saluda (Public health provider – Rural Health Clinic), 501 West Butler Ave, Saluda, SC 29138.,  the Saluda County Health Department, Mondays and Wednesdays,445-2141, and CVS, appointment, walk-in.