New Plant

Southland Log Homes new milling facility in Saluda

Southland Log Homes Plans Grand Opening
Of New Saluda Manufacturing Facility

Southland Log Homes, America’s largest designer and manufacturer of log homes, has set the date for the grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in Saluda, SC for April 30, 2018

  U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan is scheduled to attend the grand opening, along with local Saluda officials, and Southland’s executive team.  Rather than the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony, a “log cutting” is planned to symbolically open the new mill.
  In recent months, the company has been ramping up production in the 160,000 square foot facility, which was acquired in 2017, and had been used in years past as a textile warehouse.
  “Southland’s new facility will further support the company’s leadership of the US log home industry”, said Ken Sekley, Southland’s President and CEO.  “We are proud that the nation’s largest log home company makes its home, and does all of its manufacturing, right here in South Carolina.” 
  Southland Log Homes provides its customers with personalized designs and high quality log home kits, as well as support in working with quality log home builders, understanding financing options, and identifying available land anywhere in the US.   Southland’s log homes range from beautifully rustic traditional designs to the latest in modern design trends and sustainability.

About Southland Log Homes: Headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, Southland Log Homes was founded in 1978 and is the largest log home company in the United States. Southland operates model home sales offices and has authorized Southland dealers located throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. Model homes are located in Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; Biloxi, MS; Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; Christiansburg, VA; Columbia, SC; Dallas, TX; Danville, PA; Fredericksburg, VA; Greensboro, NC; Greenville, SC; Houston, TX; Northwest Indiana; Kansas City, MO; Lake City, FL; Louisville, KY; Macon, GA; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Springfield, MA; and San Antonio, TX. For more information about Southland Log Homes, call 800-641-4754 or visit SouthlandLogHomes.com.

BEFORE

AFTER

Bonham House Continued
Support Apppreciated

  In addition to Saluda claiming fame as the birthplace of the Commander of the Alamo (Travis) and the messenger (Bonham), we can also claim the only original standing birthplace in the United States of any of the Alamo defenders!  Flat Grove, or the Bonham House as it is known, is constructed of logs covered with siding and was built ca. 1780.  It is just about as original as it could get and was lived in until the 1960’s.
  People have literally come to Saluda from Texas to visit the site and our museum.  Several ladies representing organizations from Texas are planning to come Memorial Day to present a plaque to us, and when we were trying to raise funds to prevent Flat Grove’s collapse, over one half of the donations came from Texas.
  As anyone living in an old house can attest, upkeep and maintenance are ongoing.  Imagine what it takes if the house is 238 years old!  In the years since we were given the house by Edwin Matthews, we have had to rely strictly on donations with the exception of a small grant in the late 1980’s from the South Carolina Archives and History and recently a small amount of ATAX money from the county.
  Through the monetary donations of many of you and the sweat equity sadly of only a few, we have made tremendous strides in keeping Flat Grove standing.  Generous donors from Connecticut, one who was born in Texas, have sent us money to help extend our rail fence.  They have also sent a donation to add to the furnishing of the kitchen ca. 1900 and a gift certificate for Texas heirloom roses.  We plan to surface wash the exterior of Flat Grove this spring and apply a wood preservative on the siding.
  All year the state of Texas is celebrating the 300th birthday of the construction of the Alamo Chapel.  When the Alamo is mentioned, the image of the Chapel immediately comes to mind since that is all that is left of the battle site.  The excellent diorama at the Saluda County Historical Society museum shows the actual layout of the fortress.  With your help, we could make Flat Grove and our museum a focal point for Saluda County and a great tourist attraction.  Please consider helping to preserve our priceless treasure.
Colette Forrest Dragoo
Bonham House Chairman

Boy's State 2018

SOUTH CAROLINA  AMERICAN LEGION  PALMETTO BOY’S STATE.  The American Legion’s Boys State program is a “Laboratory of Government”.  A unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government.   These young men learn politics by participating in a mock governmental system. For the year 2018, Palmetto Boy’s State will be held at Anderson University, Anderson, SC, June 10th through 16th.   Pictured left to right, front row: Citizen Reagan Pugh, W. Wyman King Academy,  son of Tony and Beth Pugh; Citizen River Guy, W. Wyman King Academy, son of Allen and Julie Guy; Alternate Wilson Parrish, W. Wyman King Academy, son of Jim and Nikki Parrish.  Back row:  Citizen Matthew Perry, Saluda High School, son of Don and Lynn Perry; Citizen Matthew Bailey, Saluda High School, son of Ricky and Missy Bailey; Citizen Chandler Palmer, Saluda High School, son of Jeff and Lorinda Palmer; Citizen Moises Flores, Saluda High School, son of Ramon Flores and Herlinda Aquirre; Alternate Dalton Hyler, Saluda High School, son of Randy and Ryan Rogers.  These Citizens are sponsored by American Legion Post 65, Saluda, SC, Al Butler, Post 65 Commander.

Come Show Your Support!
3rd Annual Saluda County
Special Olympics

April 20, 2018 (9:00-1:30) - Rain Date/April 27th
 Saluda High School
**Special Guest: Todd Reed,
Wounded Warrior Amputee

Transportation Leaders Meet

  Making local highways safer and saving some road construction costs were topics Tuesday when regional transportation leaders met at the Upper Savannah Council of Governments office.
  “The purpose of the meeting was to bring together all the regional players involved in improving the transportation systems in the Upper Savannah Council of Governments (USCOG) region,” said USCOG Government Services Director Rick Green.
  The Upper Savannah region includes Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Saluda counties.
  “There are other meetings of this type statewide, but we don’t often get to sit down with just the people from our region to discuss common issues and needs,” Green said.
  S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT) Commission Chairman Ben Davis, 13 senior planning and construction management staff from SCDOT in Columbia, two district engineers from the Greenwood district office, County Transportation Committee (CTC) chairs from Saluda and Laurens counties, Green, USCOG Executive Director Patricia Hartung and Assistant Director Sam Leaman attended the meeting.
  “SCDOT staff were able to hear about our regional needs directly and they can now incorporate those findings into their daily activities to make our roads safer and better,” Green said.
  “Road safety was a major topic. South Carolina is one of the top states in vehicular deaths and SCDOT is working to address that problem. We talked about the need for public transit to get people to work and to medical appointments.
  “There were also discussions about how we could all work together to reduce common costs,” Green continued.
  There will be another meeting as a regional group this fall, including discussions about resurfacing projects. County Transportation Committees will be included.
  For more information about the meeting or future meetings, contact Green at (864) 941-8072.

Officer dies

DEPUTY SHERIFF DALE HALLMAN

Cpl. Hallman Dies in
Line of Duty Accident

  Saluda County Deputy Sheriff Dale Hallman died in a line of duty vehicle accident, Fri., April 6.
  Saluda County Sheriff John Perry issued the following statement on Friday afternoon:
  “We lost one of our deputies last night/early this morning in a line of duty death. The Uniform Road Patrol was in a vehicle pursuit with an unknown suspect that carried them just outside of Saluda County into Edgefield County. The pursuit ended, and the suspect fled from the vehicle with a rifle and a child. The minor child was released by the suspect and taken to safety by our deputies.
  The supervisor on scene requested bloodhound support to track the suspect at that time. One of our deputies, Corporal Dale Hallman, was responding to the scene as member of the Bloodhound Tracking Team with lights and sirens activated. Corporal Hallman was involved in a single vehicle traffic collision. Law enforcement, EMS, and fire personnel responded and Corporal Hallman was transported to Self-Memorial Hospital where he passed away due to his injuries sustained in the collision.
  Corporal Hallman will be remembered as a devoted law enforcement officer with five years of service at the Saluda County Sheriffs Office. In addition, he served the citizens of Saluda County as a Lieutenant in the County Fire Service. In 2016, Corporal Hallman was awarded the Medal of Valor for his outstanding service to Saluda County.
  Corporal Hallman leaves behind a wife, unborn child, and two beloved step sons. In addition, he is survived by his mother, father, and sister who are all natives of Saluda County.
  As Sheriff, I would like to ask everyone to please lift up the Hallman family, along with the Saluda County Sheriffs Office with your prayers at this time.”
  Hallman ,29,  is survived by his wife Brandi Perry Hallman,  his parents, Winfred and Naomi Strickland Hallman of Batesburg; two sons, Jase and Jonathan; a daughter, Laney-Grace due in June; a sister, Letha Bryan (Brantley); two nieces and a nephew.
  Funeral sevices were held at 11:00 AM Monday, April 9,2018, at Saluda Baptist Church with Rev. Derrick Jones, Rev. Lee Cothran and Rev. Greg Williams officiating. Interment followed in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Budget Process Begins

  Saluda County Council began the 2018-19 budget process Mon., April 9, by giving first readings to the school and county budgets.
  The local portion of the Saluda County School’s $18,219,4412 budget is $4,465,427. This is up $351,484 from last year.
  The county budget currently stands at $15,341,872.06.. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $3,743,355.
  Chairman Derrick Jones ask the public for “pray for the Council,’ as they meet to whittle down the budget.
  Two more readings are required before the budgets become final.
  Council gave second reading to two ordinances concerning flood damage prevention. One repealed a section on the old ordinance, and the other put new wording in.
  They tabled a request from Public Building Supervisor Ken Long for renovations of the old Highway Patrol Office for the Sheriff’s Office . The cost presented was $5,655. Council decided to wait until they got the cost for the security system at the building, so they can take care of both projects at one time.
  The Fair Housing Month resolution was approved.
  Council approved a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and the County Council. This will allow special ops training in the county.
  David Ballard of the S.C. Geodetic Survey gave a Powerpoint presentation on the project to look at the common boundaries of Aiken, Edgefield and Saluda counties.
  The survey has located old monuments and replaced others on the borders.
  He said the findings were no significant impact on the Aiken, Edgefield and Saluda boundary, and only one impact on the Edgefield-Saluda boundary. The situation involves one acre of land that the owner had been paying taxes in Saluda County. The taxes will now go to Edgefield County.
  Council voted to change the anniversary date for the accrual of annual sick leave credits for Saluda County employees, and to allow the county director to transfer funds from contingency to balance accounts.
  At the nomination of Councilman Jones Butler, Joy Antley was appointed to the Westview Behavioral Health System board.
  At the beginning of the meeting Chairman Jones called for a moment of silence in memory of Deputy Dale Hallman who died in the line of duty last week.