ConverterTheft

Arrest made in Theft of Catalytic Converter

  Ashley Riceman has been arrested and charged for cutting off and stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked at SCE&G Ramp 5.   The incident occurred last week on Monday. The catalytic converter was located at the residence of Riceman.

  Sheriff Price would like to extend his thanks to the community for their help and praise the work done by Investigators to solve this case.

ATTEND CONVENTION - Saluda County residents joined over four hundred young farmers, ranchers and ag enthusiasts ages 18-35 years old in Greenville for the annual South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference.

South Carolina Young Farmers

Grow as Leaders in Greenville

Over four hundred young farmers, ranchers and ag enthusiasts ages 18-35 years old, met recently for the annual South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference in Greenville. Members from across the state gathered to network, become better leaders in their communities and learn how to overcome challenges within the agriculture industry. Attendees from Saluda County included Alex Berry, Cody Berry, Katelyn Berry, Noah Berry, Ethan Forrest, Noah Hallman, Ali Harrison, Dillon Harrison, Hailey Hendrix, Quinten Miller, Drake Yon, and Nicole Yon.
  Conference attendees had the opportunity to listen to a wide variety of speakers on topics addressing all aspects of agriculture—including farm diversification, succession planning, working with local government and dealing with nuisance wildlife.   “2023 was another successful conference, setting records with over 400 people in attendance,” said newly-elected State Young Farmer and Rancher Committee Chair Walton Calhoun (Marlboro). “The theme of this year’s conference was Engage, Advocate and Teach (EAT) which was aimed at bringing everyone to the table, and it did just that through breakout sessions, speakers, and activities. I would like to thank everyone for attending, and I look forward to seeing everyone in Columbia for our 2024 SCFB YF&R conference.”
  Calhoun was elected the SCFB YF&R chair at the SCFB Annual Meeting in December and will serve his term throughout 2023 leading the program to follow SCFB’s mission and goals. Other members of the state committee are: Shiloah and Nicole Burbage (Coastal District), Walton and Casey Calhoun (Pee Dee District), Chris and Gillian Courtney (Central District), Madison and Mary Katherine Harrington (Coastal District), Loren Lindler (Central District), Michael and Allison Plumblee (Piedmont District), Matt and Ashlyn Stevens (Pee Dee District) and Andy and Allison Whiten (Piedmont District).   Michael Plumblee, of Newberry County, won the 2023 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture Award. The competition consists of a written application and an oral presentation in front of a panel of judges. Plumblee won $500 cash, $7,000 towards the purchase of a new ATV compliments of Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, and has the opportunity to represent South Carolina Farm Bureau on trips to the 2023 American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference in Jacksonville, Florida and the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  The Excellence in Agriculture Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation, but who actively contribute to agriculture and Farm Bureau. Award prizes are compliments of Southern  Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, and South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation.
  Matt Stevens, of Horry-Loris County, won the 2023 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award. Matt was awarded $1,000 compliments of the Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, $33,750 towards the purchase of a new Ford truck and has the opportunity to represent South Carolina Farm Bureau on trips to the 2023 American Farm Bureau Fusion Conference in Jacksonville, Florida and the 2024 American Farm Bureau Annual Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
  The Achievement Award recognizes young farmers and ranchers who derive the majority of their income from an owned agricultural operation and have excelled in their farming or ranching operations while exhibiting superior leadership abilities. Participants are evaluated on a combination of their agricultural operation’s growth and financial progress, Farm Bureau leadership and leadership outside of Farm Bureau. Award prizes are compliments of Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation and Ford.
  Orangeburg County Farm Bureau Chapter received the award for the Largest County Delegation, boasting 28 young farmers and ranchers in attendance at the conference. Through the Harvest for All program, county Young Farmer and Rancher committees support a local foodbank, food kitchen or food project. This year Darlington County received the 2023 Harvest for all Project Award. The Salkehatchie Cluster was recognized for the most innovative project.
  Plans are already underway for the 2024 Young Farmers and Ranchers conference scheduled for February 2-4, 2024, in Columbia.

  For more information about Young Farmers and Ranchers and to learn how to get involved, contact Heather Barberio at hbarberio@ scfb.org.

  South Carolina Farm Bureau is a grassroots, non-profit organization that celebrates and supports family farmers, locally grown food and our rural lands through legislative advocacy, education and community outreach. The organization, founded in 1944, serves nearly 90,000 member families in 47 chapters. For more information, please visit www.scfb.org.

Council Recognized

COUNTY RECOGNIZED - SC Association of Counties Director of Insurance Services Robert Benfield presented Saluda County with the Property & Liability Lag Time and the Workers' Comp Experience Modifier Awards at eh recent county council meeting. The awards recognize excellence at reducing risk and managing costs. Pictured, L to R, are: County Director Sandra Padgett, Benfield, Risk Management Director Hardee Horne, Chairman Jim Moore, Councilmen Frank Daniel, Jack Atkinson and Carey Bedenbaugh. (Association of Counties photo)

County Recognized For
Insurance Efficiency

Saluda County was recognized  by the S.C. Association of Counties for outstanding efficiency at the Feb. 13 meeting of County Council.
   Association of Counties Director of Insurance Services Robert Benfield presented Saluda County with the Property & Liability Lag Time and the Workers' Comp Experience Modifier Awards.
  Benfield said Saluda County had the second lowest response time in the state for reporting incidents. The County filed reports in less that a day. The County also had the third lowest total of injury claims.
  Benfield praised the work of Risk Management Director Hardee Horne in the earning of the recognition.
  He added Saluda County’s efficiency in reporting and safety had saved the county $90.,000 during the year.
  At the beginning of the meeting, Council Chairman Jim Moore told of meetings and work sessions discussing the proposed Detention Center, EMS and Fire Service building, capital projects, recreation and the County building better working relationships with Saluda, Ridge Spring and Ward..
  Councilman Carey Bedenbaugh asked for prayers for Saluda Nursing Center, which has been hit with another rash of COVID cases.
  A public hearing was held on the ordinance to approve the sale of the buildings at 117 and 119 North Main Street to C.F. Tatham, Jr.
  No one spoke at the hearing, and Council the gave second reading approval of the ordinance.
  First reading was given to an ordinance approving the expenditure of $125,000 from one percent sales tax proceeds to fund the construction of the Edgefield-Saluda County Animal Shelter. The shelter will be located in Edgefield County.
  First reading was also given to an ordinance to approve the policies for the animal control problem in Saluda County, and other matters pertaining to animal control.
  Council adopted a mission statement, and approved updating a memorandum of understanding with Edgefield County for animal control.
  An agreement with the Town of Saluda regarding the YMCA was approved. The county will pay 30 percent of the salary and provide office space.
  Councilman Jack Atkinson voted for the measure, but said the YMCA often gets more that it gives, and he is going to watch the situation closely.
  Council voted to take bids on the Courthouse roof repair, and relocating the Coroner’s holding facility, which is located in the footprint of where the Detention Center is going.
  Applying for a JAG grant, which will require a ten percent match,  for the Sheriff’s Office was approved. Grants Coordinator Jill Warren said, if approved, the funds will be used to buy new tasers. The current tasers are outdated and can not be upgraded.
  Creating  a job description for an animal/litter control officer was approved. The officer will be a deputy and will work Monday-Friday.
  Ridge Spring Mayor Quendolyn Etheredge was appointed to the Upper Savannah Work Force Board.
  Austin Rodgers was appointed to the Fire  Board, filling the unexpired term of Bryan Derrick. Russell Derrick was appointed the alternate.

SAMANTHA NICHOLS

Saluda Woman To Compete For
National Watermelon Queen

  Samantha Lee Nichols will be competing at the National Watermelon Association Convention in Asheville NC on February 25th for the National Watermelon Queen title representing South Carolina.
  Samantha is the daughter of Christy Corley Nichols and James R. Nichols. She’s a 2017 graduate of Saluda High School, a 2020 graduate of Clemson University, and a current graduate student studying Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University.   Samantha is currently employed with South Carolina Farm Bureau in Government Relations. She has spent the past year traveling all over South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Washington DC promoting the watermelon industry as the South Carolina Watermelon Association public relations ambassador.

Feb. 5 Fatality

Saluda County Motor
Vehicle Collision Fatality

  On the early morning of Sunday, February 5, 2023 the Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a one vehicle crash on Highway 23 near Dickert Drive and Topaz Road in Batesburg. C
  oroner Keith Turner has identified the driver of the Chevrolet Impala as Mary Laverne Long, age 45 of Saluda County.
  Ms. Long’s vehicle appeared to have traveled off the right side of the road and struck a power pole.  The driver was ejected from the car and unfortunately died at the scene.
  The fatality is under investigation by the SC Hwy. Patrol and the Coroner’s Office. An autopsy is scheduled for early this week.
  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office appreciates the response and assistance of Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Fire and Dominion Energy.
  We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Ms. Long.

Books Open For Saluda
Town Council Election

  A special candidate filing period for the Town of Saluda, Ward 1, will open at 12 noon Fri., Jan. 20, and close at 12 noon on Tues.,. Jan 31.
  Filing will take place a Town Hall.
  The election is the fill the vacancy created when elected Ward 1 Councilman Miliken Matthews was elected Mayor. He ran for both posts.

RADIUS CHURCH DONATES TO SCHOOLS - Saluda County School District remains grateful for our strong community partnerships. A heartfelt thanks to Radius Church for their consistent “Give Hope” funding, provided to each school in our district.

Spring Fest Vendors Needed

Vendors are needed for the Town of Saluda’s Sping Fest on April 1 To sign-up please go to the Town’s Facebook page or visit this site http://www.townofsaluda.com/festivals.