March 8 Arrests
Two Arrested On
Multiple Charges
Two Ward residents have been arrested on multiple charges by the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.
Mar. 8, deputies went to a residence in the Town of Ward in reference to serving an arrest warrant.
While deputies were outside of the home, they could smell a strong odor of marijuana. Once the door was opened, deputies observed narcotics and drug paraphernalia on a table in plain sight.
Deputies arrested William Rushton for an outstanding warrant for the crime of larceny and detained Yolanda Reed. A search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence. A large amount of methamphetamine was seized along with marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun. All of which was laid out on the kitchen table.
William Rushton and Yolanda Reed have been charged for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. Both are currently incarcerated at the Saluda County Detention Center.
Sheriff Josh Price praises the proactive hard work of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office.
Body Found In Camper
A body was found in camper last week, according to Saluda Sheriff Josh Price.
According to Price the body was found inside of an old camper behind Star Motors on Travis Ave. in Saluda.
The person, according to deputies, has been dead for at least two months.
The victim is yet to be identified and the case is still under investigation.
RECOGNITION - Corporal Kattie Hallman pictured with her shift Captain Scotty Carroll, left, and EMS Director Jacob Starnes, right.
County EMS Employee
Wins State Award
Saluda County EMS proud to announce Corporal Kattie Hallman has been named the 2021 South Carolina EMS PIER award winner.
PIER stands for public information education and relations. She was presented the award at the SC EMS Symposium in Myrtle Beach over the weekend.
Hallman has worked tirelessly trying to improve relations and outreach within the community of Saluda County by instructing CPR classes, coming up with plans to combat healthcare problems in certain populations, participating in festivals and sharing crucial medical information with the community.
“Join us in congratulating Kattie on this huge achievement,” County EMS Director Jacob Starney said. “Kattie, we are so very proud of you and are honored to have you as part of our family here at Saluda County EMS.”
Town Report
AMERICAN LEGION HEARS REPORT ON TOWN OF SALUDA PROGRESS - Pictured are Past American Legion Post 65 Commander Al Butler, The Honorable Amelia Herlong, Mayor of Saluda, SC and Post 65 Commander John Hood. The February meeting of American Legion Post 65 featured The Honorable Saluda Mayor Amelia Herlong as the key note speaker. Mayor Herlong updated Post 65 and the Ladies Auxiliary on current events that will be taking place in the town of Saluda. She reports that construction has begun on “Bojangles fast food restaurant. The town will be getting an “O’Riley’s Auto Parts Store” across from McDonalds, a YMCA where the old Saluda pool is and a soup and salad restaurant besides Otter Ark on Church Street. More things: getting an after hours medical care facility and a broad band internet to Saluda. Mayor Herlong reported the Town has received a $721,000 grant to renovate the streets and sidewalks. Finally she reported that the Town is in good financial shape and trying to improve housing because it is a huge issue right now.
No Special Election
Primary Needed
Since Jim Moore was the only candidate to file to fill the unexpired term of late County Council Chairman Jerry Strawbridge, there will be no need for a special election primary on April 19, nor run-off on May 3. There will be a special election on June 21, however.
Dominion Energy Launches
Savings Program in Saluda
CAYCE, S.C. (March 4, 2022) – Dominion Energy’s Neighborhood Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) will offer approximately 2,000 eligible Saluda customers free energy-efficiency assessments and improvements, as well as other energy-saving products and services.
Residents began receiving information on how to participate in January, and installations began in homes in early February. NEEP provides income-qualified customers with these services in communities throughout the company’s service territory.
Administered by Honeywell International, all authorized contractors can be identified by their Dominion Energy badges. Technicians will observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-approved safety precautions at all times, and they will wear additional personal protective equipment for their safety and customer safety. The program is scheduled to be in Saluda through April.
Energy-saving products available to eligible residens
through the program include the following:
•LED light bulbs
•Faucet aerators
•Low-flow shower heads
•Electric water heater wraps and insulation for water pipes
•Weatherstripping for doors and windows
•Advanced power strips
•Adjustment of electric water heater temperature
•Heating, ventilation and air conditioning filter replacement
Dominion Energy started NEEP in 2013 to provide eligible residential electric customers with energy education and the direct installation of energy-saving improvements at no cost.
Dominion Energy offers a comprehensive portfolio of EnergyWise programs that work together to increase overall energy efficiency and reduce energy usage. For more information about these programs, visit dominionenergysc.com/EnergyWise or call toll-free at 877-510-7234.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM - The Piedmont Agency’s Saluda Senior Center concluded Black History Month with a special observance on Mon., Feb. 28. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
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.