Drug Dealer Sentenced

Robert Rimeak Foulk

Repeat Drug Dealer Sentenced to

10 Years for Distribution of Narcotics

  Robert Rimeak Foulks, age 35, pled guilty this week in Saluda County to Distribution of Crack Cocaine Within Proximity of a School and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. 
  This charge is classified as a “serious offense” under South Carolina law. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Court Judge William P. Keesley. The case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Doug Fender. 
  The Saluda County Sherriff’s Office, in a combined investigation with the Town of Saluda Police Department, conducted numerous undercover narcotics purchases from Robert Foulks.    During the course of the investigation, law enforcement discovered that Robert Foulks was selling crack cocaine in the town area of Saluda out of a residential apartment complex in close proximity to numerous playgrounds, athletic fields, and the GLEAMNS Saluda Head Start Center. Foulks had previously been convicted of Distribution of Crack Cocaine prior to this arrest.
  Lieutenant Josh Price of the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office remarked, “The Saluda County Sherriff’s Office is committed to stopping the sale of illegal drugs in Saluda County, especially in areas where children and young adults live, learn and play.” 
  Foulks was transported to the S.C. Department of Corrections to begin immediate service of his sentence.

(Photo by Dan Guy, member of American Legion Post 65)

Saluda Teen Featured In
Legion Auxilairy Blog

The following is an article from the American Legion Auxiliary Blog. This is their link. https://alaforveterans. wordpress.com/…/american-legion-aux…/

  American Legion Auxiliary’s diverse membership hails from various community sizes, age groups
  Kindness doesn’t have to pick between a small town or the big city, between youth and senior adult years, or between an individual or a group. That’s one of the reasons the American Legion Auxiliary — the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization — appreciates and values all of our members. We know that generosity can come from a good-hearted person regardless of, for example, her zip code or age, or whether she stands alone.
  ALA member Rachel Porter is a shining example of this. Rachel is the only Junior member of Unit 65 in Saluda, S.C., and she didn’t let that fact deter her from showing kindness and care to numerous veterans in her small community.
  ALA Junior Rachel Porter of Unit 65 in Saluda, S.C., made more than 20 of these patriotic-patterned pillows for local veterans. Rachel, the only Junior in her unit, receives support from the adult members in Unit 65.
  “I realized that I had been a Junior member since the early 2000s, and that I could be a lot more active than I am. It’s not hard to go and sit down and talk to someone for a while, or take them a card. It really brightens their day. It didn’t matter that I am the only Junior member at our unit,” Rachel said.
  At age 17, Rachel decided she would make patriotic-patterned pillows for local veterans, most of whom live in the town’s nursing home. She wanted to visit and chat for a bit with each veteran to whom she gave a pillow.
  Rachel said she received solid support for the project from the unit’s adult members, several of whom helped her with some of the organizing. But Rachel made the pillows and the visits. In all, she gave a pillow to each of the 26 veterans at the nursing home and to two other veterans in her community who don’t live at that facility.
  “It was just great seeing, not what I did, but the impact that it had on them. They seemed to appreciate the pillows and the visits. I won’t forget the smiles on their faces. It was an honor for me to do something for our veterans,” said Rachel, who turned 18 last month. She said she intends to stay in the ALA as an adult member.
  Although Rachel is the only Junior at her unit, she is not really alone. As evidenced by their help with her patriotic pillow project, there are adult members in her unit who support and care about her. The feeling is mutual, Rachel said: “I love all of our members at our unit. They’re precious to me!”
  Rachel Porter is one of thousands of ALA members — women and girls from a variety of backgrounds, from all over the world — who unite under our common cause of honoring and helping our military heroes and their families; promoting patriotism; mentoring youth; and encouraging good citizenship in our communities. That is the ALA’s mission. We know that each Auxiliary member can help us fulfill that mission. It doesn’t matter if she is from a small town, a big city, a unit of a hundred members … or if she is the only Junior in her unit.

Bridge Naming Proposed

General Assembly Seeks
Naming Bridge For
Deputy Dale Hallman

  The South Carolina General Asememby has requested the S.C. Department of Transportation name a bridge in Saluda County for fallen Deputy Sheriff Dale Hallman.
  Following is the resolution:
  TO REQUEST THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NAME THE BRIDGE LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 39l IN SALUDA COUNTY OVER THE LITTLE SALUDA RIVER AT MILE MARKER 9.30 “CORPORAL DALE HALL-MAN MEMORIAL BRIDGE”  AND  ERECT APPROPRIATE MARKERS OR SIGNS AT THIS LOCATION CONTAINING THE DESIGNATION.
  Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the untimely and tragic death of CorporaI Dale Hallman on April 6. 2018 at the age of twenty- nine and wish to honor and remember his supreme sacrifice in the line of duty; and
  Whereas, Corporal Hall-man, who was a member of’ the Bloodhound Tracking Team, was called to the scene of a crime in order to pursue a suspect. He began responding to the scene with lights and sirens activated but crashed at a location on Pencreek Road. He later died of` his injuries; and
  Whereas, a deputy of high character. Corporal Hallman had been with the Saluda County Sheriff‘s Office for five years, and he loved what he did. A close friend to his fellow officers and hard worker, he will be remembered as an extraordinary deputy. He also served   as a lieutenant with the county’s fire service; and
  Whereas, in 2016, Corporal Hallman was awarded the Medal of Valor for his outstanding service to Saluda County; and
  Whereas, Corporal Hall-man had recently gotten married and also had a baby on the way. He leaves behind his wife, unborn child, and two beloved stepsons. In addition, he is survived by his mother, father, and sister; and   Whereas, it would be fitting and proper to pay tribute to the life, service, and courageous sacrifice of this son of South Carolina by naming a bridge in Saluda County in his honor.
  Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
  That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, request that the Department of Transportation name the bridge located on Highway 391 in Saluda County over the Little Saluda River at mile marker 9.30 “Corporal Dale Hallman Memorial Bridge” and erect appropriate markers or signs at this location containing the designation.

Pictured L to R: Susan Cathey, Co-President; Shelby Yonce, President; Betty Ann Cone, Charter Member & Secretary; and Converse Cone, Vice President.

Garden Club Celebrates 65th Anniversary

The Green Thumb Garden Club of Ridge Spring celebrated their 65th Anniversary and were honored by the National Garden Clubs, Inc. They were presented a NGC Certificate of Merit by Donna Donnelly, President of The Garden Club of South Carolina on behalf of the National President, Nancy L. Hargroves. Mrs. Hargroves who resides in Manakin Sabot, Virginia signed the certificate.
  The Green Thumb Garden Club was formed in 1953 in the James Paul Murphey Home on Boatwright Street in Ridge Spring. Mrs. Mattie Lee Bonnette and Mrs. Ethel Connelly Murphey were members of The Ridge Garden Club and wished to form a new club for the younger ones in town. Two names were suggested by the 13 charter members and “The Green Thumb” won the vote. Betty Ann Cone, a charter member, served as the first President and is still active in the club today. She was awarded a Life Membership by the club in 2016.
  Shelby Jean Yonce is presently serving as President with Susan McGee Cathey serving as Co-President of the club. Mrs. Cathey is a second generation member following her mother, Pauline McGee. Converse Bomar Cone, Vice-President, is also a second generation member. The club was deeded the historic lmmanuel Lutheran Church at 206 Boatwright Street in Ridge Spring in 1986 which is located just a half a block from where the club was organized. Over the years the members have been busy restoring and maintaining the church and grounds as funds are available. Money is raised by their annual Christmas Tour of Homes and through donations. Presently, they are working to add a much needed restroom onto the back of the sanctuary,   Other club projects include maintaining a By-Way Blue Star Marker on the church property, a Blue Star Memorial Marker on Highway #1, and a Healing Garden Dream Stop west of town. All members are certified as having Backyard Habitats.  
  To celebrate their anniversary, the club attended The Camellia Tea of Edgefield at Magnolia Dale on February 14 where they enjoyed the spectacular display of camellias and the delicious refreshments! Each member purchased a copy of the newly released book, “Nothing Could Be Finer”, a history of the Camellia Tea of Edgefield, SC. They also toured the historic Oakley Park House in Edgefield where the above photo was taken.

County Safety Recognized

SAFETY AWARD PRESENTED - Robert Benfield, S.C. Association of Counties Director of Risk Management, presented Saluda County the Outstanding Achievement Award Mon., Feb. 11, at the Council meeting. Accepting was Council Chairman Derrick Jones, Council members, Risk Management Director Hardee Horne, Sheriff John Perry, and the other members of the staff who worked to enhance the safety and security of the county employees. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

County Safety Record Recognized

  Saluda County Council took less than 20 minutes to take care of business at the Mon., Feb. 11, meeting.
  A public hearing was held and final reading was given to an ordinance authorizing a joint venture with Edgefield County for an industrial  and business park in Edgefield County.
  Robert Benfield, S.C. Association of Counties Director of Risk Management, presented Saluda County the Outstanding Achievement Award. The award recognizes all the county departments who worked together to enhance the safety and securityof the county employees,
  Council accepted Emergency Management Director Josh Morton suggestion to transfer licenses the county already owns at the Courthouse and use them for the surveillance system at the Sheriff’s CID building. Morton said the licenses are a major expense and this will save the county money. The three licenses are no longer needed at the Courthouse with its new surveillance system. The $2567.16 cost will be paid from the Public Building Repair Reserve account.
  Council gave Assistant Emergency Management Director Jill Warren permission to apply for a $25,644 Justice Assistance Grant. The funds will go to new body armor for the SWAT team. The county’s match if approved will be $2564.40.

Davy Hite Named To
Fishing Hall of Fame

Saluda Countiy native Davy Hite has  been selected for induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
  The Class of 2019, with formal induction ceremonies taking place at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield on Thursday, September 19, 2019, includes three stars of professional bass fishing — Mark Davis of Mt. Ida, Ark., David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., and Davy Hite of Ninety Six, S.C. – along with noted artist/illustrator, the late Chris Armstrong, and the founder of Zoom Bait Company, the late Ed Chambers.
  Davy Hite – Davy Hite took a risk, giving up a rock-solid career in the SC National Guard to pursue his dream of becoming a professional angler. Over the course of twenty-four seasons he excelled, winning two Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic and the 1998 FLW Forrest Wood Cup. His ledger includes eight Bassmaster victories along with the FLW Championship.   
 After retiring from competition upon the conclusion of the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series season, Hite slid seamlessly into a new role as a co-host on Bassmaster LIVE and The Bassmasters TV show. Davy serves on the Board of Trustees for the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families, a charitable organization whose mission is to provide the means for fathers to be great dads. He also donates his time to a number of other worthy organizations.  Without a doubt, Davy considers his greatest accomplishment in life to be the two remarkable sons, Parker and Peyton, he and Natalie have been blessed to call their own.
  His wife, the former Natalie Smith, is also a native of Saluda.
  Hite is a 1983 graduate of Saluda High School.

FEMA Funds Awarded

  Saluda County has been awarded $8205.00 Federal Funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/ Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board program.  Saluda County has been chosen to receive $8205.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.
  The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross; Jewish Federations of North America; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and United Way worldwide.  The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.
  A Local Board made up of local government officials, agencies, church officials, and a homeless advocate will determine how the funds awarded to Saluda County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service organization in the area.  The Local Board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds available under this phase of the program.
  Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non - profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal Funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.  Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.
  Saluda County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter funds previously with Saluda County DSS, Saluda County Helping Hands, GLEAMNS, COA and the Salvation Army.  These agencies were responsible for providing meals and utility assistance.  Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Fabrienni Chaplin 864-803-1023, or Becky McDowell at 864-445-2139 for an application.  The deadline for application is March 13, 2019.