May 2019 Court

Only One Jury Trial
In Recent Court Term

  Only one jury trial took play during the recent term of Saluda County General Sessions Court.
  Johnny Tyler Padgett was found guilt of failure to stop for a blue light, and was sentenced to six months.
  Judge Walton M. McLeod IV handed out the following sentences on guilty pleas:
  Michael Ryan Barr, assault and battery 3rd degree, three days and $100. Acey T. Beebe, possession of less than one gram of meth 1st, six months, concurrent with other sentence.
  Kayla Dawn Black, simple possession of marijuana, three days and $100. Donovan Tirrell Brannon, resisting arrest, one year, credit for time served; trafficking meth, five years; unlawful carrying of a pistol, one year.
  Quinton Vernard Brown, possession of controlled substance, two days and $100. Daniel Bryan Chapman, domestic violence 3rd degree, time served.
  Kristie Katrina Coleman, abandonment of animals, one day. Carlton Maurice Dicks, failure to stop for a blue light, three years, suspended to two days, and three years probation.
  Madison Elaine Dunbar, burglary 2nd degree, Youthful Offender Act (YOA) not to exceed five years; burglary 3rd degree (two counts),  YOA not to exceed five years. Austin Cruz Farley, burglary 3rd, 10 years, upon service of 87 days, suspended to five years probation; burglary 2nd (non-violent), 10 years, upon service of 87 days, suspended to five years probation.
  Kwamez Fitzgerald Gilliam, shoplifting $2000 or less, time served. Andrew Thomas Goff, receiving stolen goods, three years, suspended to time served, and three years probation.
  Victor Guzman, possession of cocaine, time served. Manuel Herrera, possession with intent to distribute near a school, YOA not to exceed six years, suspended to four days, and three years probation.
  Craig Holland,  possession with intent to distribute cocaine 2nd offense, 10 years, suspended to three days, and  three years probation; DUI 1st, three days. Garrett Brooks Jones, simple possession of marijuana, three days and $100.
  Eric William Kirkland, breach of peace, aggravated in nature, 10 years, suspended to 614 days time served, four years probation. Robert Brandon Manus Knight, possession of over one ounces of marijuana, six moths, suspended to eight days, and one year probation.
  Thomas Alexander Layne, simple possession of marijuana, three days and $100. Troy Avery McKevie, failure to stop for a bluelight, $200, time served, two years probation.
  Robert Harry Martin, breach of trust with fraudulent intent $2000 or less, 30 days, suspended to time served,  and five years probation. Airston Josiah Mobley, failure to stop for a blue light, YOA  not to exceed three years, suspended to time served and three years probation.
  Emily Kristin Moore, possession of controlled substance, one day. Jeremy Devon  Rauch, public disorderly conduct, one day.
  James Randall Scott, domestic violence 3rd degree, time served. Earl Eugene Valentine Jr., pointing and presenting a firearm, YOA not to exceed five years, suspended to two days, and four years probation.
  Martin Conteras Vasquez, domestic violence 3rd degree, 50 days time served. William Porter Vereen, assault & battery 3rd degree, three days.
  Adrain Jerome Washington II, possession of controlled substance, two days and $200. Daniel Paul Whitaker II, unlawful carrying of a pistol, one years, suspended to three days, and 18 months probation.
  Garricus Quintavius Williams, resisting arrest, one year, suspended to eight days, and one year probation; unlawful carrying of a pistol, one year, suspended to eight days, and one year probation.

2019 Palmetto Girls State Delegates and Alternate

  The Saluda Unit 65 of the American Legion Auxiliary is pleased to announce the delegates and alternate for the73rd session of the Palmetto Girls State to be held at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC.  To be selected for Girls State each county reviews and sends outstanding high school juniors based on the following qualifications:  leadership, interest in government, character, honesty, scholarship, cooperativeness, and eagerness to participate in PGS.  
  We will again be well represented by the following:  From King Academy, Reaghan Turner, daughter of Anissa and Andy Turner; From Saluda High School, Jordan Black, daughter  of Susan and Brad Black; Zoe Horne, daughter of Bruce and Sheila Horne; and Kari Leigh Miller, daughter of Sherri and Scot Miller.  Trinity Logue, daughter of Sydney Forrest, is our alternate.
  Kari Leigh Miller is the winner of the Americanism essay contest.
  The Girls State program is one of the most vital programs for our youth as it provides young women the opportunity to learn and experience government in action.  It emphasizes the democratic process and the principles of God and country.  At Girls State our representatives will be challenged to return to their schools and community and exercise their leadership potentials. 
  The Saluda American Legion Auxiliary would like to thank the following donors who helped the Auxiliary to send these delegates:   Amick Farm; Gentry Poultry; C B Forrest and Sons;  Cromley Motor Co; Hollywood Ruritan Club; Representative Cal Forrest; Senator Shane Massey; South Carolina Superintendent of Education, Molly Spearman;  Saluda County Retired Teachers; The Added Touch and other individual anonymous donors.

Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale Is
May 31-June 1

  Believe it or not the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is only days away.
  Twelve years ago all the small towns along Highway 23: Batesburg, Leesville, Monetta, Ridge Spring, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield, and Modoc got together to create a 44 mile yard sale that takes place in each of the towns and some areas along the  way on the first Friday and Saturday in June. This year, however, it starts the last day in May.
  The yard sale has grown each year and brings lots of folks from everywhere.
  Make your plans for Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1, and join us in any of the towns along the Highway 23, or maybe, like some, start at the beginning and travel the 44 miles to its end. Join us in our annual fun event and “Rummage the Ridge”. For information, call 803 685-7810, 803 275-0010 or 803 532-4339.

Ridge Spring Grant

Ridge Spring Recieves Grant

Ridge Spring Moves Forward
with downtown revitalization

  Senator Nikki Setzler presented the Town of Ridge Spring with a $50,000 check from Parks Recreation and Tourism to be used in building an open air farmers’ market in the new plaza which will begin construction in October.
  The Downtown parking lot will be completely resurfaced with 24 additional parking spaces.  This project is being funded by a CDBG grant from Upper Savannah Council of Governments.
  Once phase one (parking plaza) is finished, we will move directly into phase two which will be the garden area beside the parking lot. We will be enlarging the garden area, adding the open air farmer’s market, a Veteran’s Memorial and a children’s splash park.  Saluda County Capital Project Tax has set aside $175,000 and Parks, Recreation and Tourism has presented us with $50,000 to begin work on the park.
Pictured above are. from right to left, Senator Nikki Setzler, Councilman Capers Asbill, Councilman Richard Christi, Councilman Cyrs Lybrand, and Mayor Pat Asbill.

School, County Budgets
Get Second Readings

  Saluda County Council gave second readings to the school and county budgets Mon., May 13.
  A public hearing was held on the school budget. No one spoke. A public hearing was scheduled on the county budget, but it was deferred to a later date.
  The local support portion of the school district’s $19,664,537 budget is $7551,956, minus revenues and credits reflected on tax receipts from Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier for a net amount of $4,867,802  from ad valorem taxes.
  The county budget currently stands at $13,365,734.50. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $1,483,622.00.
  Piedmont Technical College is requesting $225,178. They are funded through millage and this request is not included in the above figures.
  Council approved the hiring of Holt Consulting Company for engineering and consulting services at the Saluda County Airport.
  At the recommendation of Financial Services Coordinator Regina Turner, Council voted to hire Briten Janitorial of Edgefield for janitorial services. Six businesses submitted quotes for the job. The contract includes cleaning and floor care.
  Council gave first reading to an ordinance authorizing the transfer of funds from reserve fund  to balance the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. This is not to exceed $1,483,622.
  The hiring of a summer intern for the Saluda County Library was approved.
  Interim Library Director Russell Altman said this position would be paid through a First Steps grant, and would require no county funding.
  Council approved a departmental freeze on spending until the next fiscal year begins July 1. Only normal bills and necessary purchases to perform the job and safely operate equipment and vehicles will be allowed.

Piedmont Tech Graduate from Saluda Receives Countywide Award for Academic Achievement - At Piedmont Technical College’s recent spring commencement exercises, outstanding students from each of the college’s seven supporting counties were honored for academic achievement. Adam Matthews, who graduated with an associate in science degree, was the honoree from Saluda County. He is pictured here with PTC Area Commission Chairman George Piersol, right. 

Woman Pleads Guilty

Saluda Woman Pleads Guilty
to Filing False Tax Returns

  Columbia, South Carolina  - United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon said Brenda Rodgers, age 57, of Saluda, pled guilty to Filing a False Tax Return. 
  United States District Court Judge Timothy Cain, of Anderson, accepted the plea and will sentence Rodgers after receiving and reviewing a presentence report prepared by the United States Probation Office. 
  Evidence presented at the hearing established that from 2012 through 2016, Rodgers was an employee of a property and casualty insurance agency located in Columbia.  Rodgers embezzled by writing checks from a particular client’s account to herself and forging the name of her supervisor.  During the tax years 2012 through 2016, Rodgers wrote herself 325 checks totaling over $337,000.  Rodgers concealed her activity by making false entries in the accounting records and on check stubs.  She also removed pages from the bank statements that contained photocopies of the checks transferring funds into her bank account.  By creating false entries and removing bank records, Rodgers avoided reporting taxable income associated with her embezzlement.  As a result, she avoided tax payments totaling $78,892 for the years 2012 through 2016.  As for Count 4 of the Indictment, to which she pleaded guilty, the additional tax she owed that year was at least $27,222.
  Rodgers confessed to deputies of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, explaining that she used the money to pay bills, make car payments, and pay off her mortgage.
  The maximum penalty Rodgers faces is three years in federal prison and a fine of $100,000. 
  The United States Internal Revenue Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.  Assistant United States Attorney Winston David Holliday, Jr., of the Columbia office is prosecuting the case.

Edgefield Woman Dies in
County Head-on Collision

  An Edgefield County woman died in a head-on collision in Saluda County, Fri,May 3.   According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, Delphine Pickens Simpkins, 60, was driving west in a  2007 Pontiac  on Hwy. 378 a little before 3:30 p.m. when she crossed the center line and struck an eastbound 2015 Ford Truck head-on.
  Both Simpkins and the 28 year-old-driver of the truck were transported to Richland County Hospital. 
  Simpkins later died at the hospital from her injuries.   
 No charges are pending.

Two from Saluda Receive The
Charlie Foundation Scholarship

  Piedmont Technical College (PTC) recently held a Scholarship Luncheon to recognize student recipients of dozens of PTC Foundation scholarships for 2019. This year’s winners of The Charlie Foundation Scholarship are Olivia Evans and Craig McMillan, both of Saluda.
  The late Saluda County Council Chairman Don Hancock’s desire to leave a legacy that would benefit the residents of Saluda County led him to create The Charlie Foundation. The Charlie Foundation Scholarship was established in January 2018 and is available to Saluda County residents.
  Pictured from left:  Donor Representative Ann Hancock Coker, Craig McMillan, and Donor Representative Charlyn Hancock Staubes. Not pictured:  Olivia Evans.