2019 Review Part 1
BIGGEST SINGLE EVENT - The most positive single event in Saluda County was Saluda High’s football team winning the school’s first state championship since 1963. The Tigers defeated Barnwell 39-14 at Benedict College’s Charlie Johnson Stadium on Dec. 8 for the 2A title. Ridge Spring-Monetta, with many students from Saluda County, also made it the title game at the same stadium on the same day, but fell to Green Sea-Floyds in 1A. (Photo by Trey Fingerlin)
2019, The Year In Review, Part 1
The Year 2019 was fillled with ups and downs in Saluda County.
The positives included two local football teams, Saluda and Ridge Sping-Monetta, making it to their respective state championship games.
While the Trojas lost, theTigers won their first championship since 1963 by beating Barnwell 39-14 for the class 2A title.
A new housing development was announced for the lake, which will bring new residents and property tax revenue, and the county’s new water treatment plant opened on the lake.
The county was stunned by the sudden resignation of County Council Chairman Derrick Jones, which will force a primary election in January.
After failing to pass a vehicle fee on two tries, the third time proved to be the charm, as County Council passed the ordinance in December.
Many prominent citizens passed away during the year, including 103-year-old attorney Billy Coleman, former house member Rudolph Mitchell,and business and farm leader Earl Forrest.
Following is the year in review:
JANUARY
•Saluda County’s Molly Mitchell Spearman was sworn in for her second term as S.C.’s Superintendent of Education on January 9 at South Carolina’s 97th Inaugural Celebration.
•Saluda County held its first meeting of the new year on Mon., Jan. 14. At the beginning of the meeting, Justin Anderson, District 3, was welcomed at the new member of Council, and District One Councilman Frank Daniel was elected vice-chairman. Chairman Derrick Jones presented a plaque of appreciation to Gwen C. Shealy and recognition of her eight years of service on Council. Mrs. Shealy chose not to seek re-election, and was succeeded by Anderson.
•Tony Lake, Hollywood Fire Department, was named the 2018 Saluda County Firefighter of the Year at the annual dinner hosted by the Saluda Fire Department on January 14, 2019. The award was presented by the award by the State Farm-Kelly White Agency Team.
•South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, a Saluda native, as his nominee to be the 29th adjutant general for South Carolina during a press conference at the State House in Columbia, South Carolina, Jan. 17, 2019. McCarty is he son of Faris McCarty and the late Major McCarty of Saluda.
•The Columbia Section, of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. held its 38th Annual “Living the Legacy” Award Luncheon, Saturday, January 19, 2019. This award honors persons whose contributions to their community and to society personify the legacies and philosophies of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Joy Antley, director of Saluda’s Christ Central, was among the recipients of the prestigious award.
•Donnie Woolsey, who was athletic director at Saluda High School from 1997-2002, selection to the S.C. Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame was announced.
•A Greenwood County suspect, who escaped on foot in Saluda County, Thurs., Jan 31, was captured later that day. Michael Alvin Brewer was arrested by Saluda County Sheriffs Office at Larkin Rice Road and Old Chappells Ferry Road near Greenwood Highway around 8 p.m.
•Lamar Maurice Shannon, a 34 year old from Allendale, was sentenced to 18 years without parole for the homicide of Schanen T. Samuels, age 34.
On Labor Day in 2016, Shannon intentionally drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed into a crowd of people at the Circle K in Ridge Spring in Saluda County. Shannon pled guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter earlier today and the sentence was imposed by Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod, IV. This case was investigated by the Ridge Spring Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant Solicitor Sutania A. Fuller.
•Former Saludan Victoria Hopkins Halydier was crowned Mrs. South Carolina America on Jan. 26.
WE SAID GOOD-BYE...
County employee Johnnie E. Dukes, 71, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Longtime Amick Farms executive James Loran Riggs, Sr., passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
Rev. William Otto Johnson, Jr, died January 22, 2019.
Rudolph Mitchell, who served Saluda County and the of South Carolina in many capacities, and entertained thousands through the years with his piano playing died Tues., Jan. 29, at his home. He was 92.
FEBRUARY
•Gov. Henry McMaster ordered that the flags atop the State Capitol Building be flowered to half-staff on Fri., Feb. 1, in honor of Rudolph Mitchell and in recognition of his service to the State as a member of the House of Representatives and the Public Service Commission.
•Cayce Memorial American Legion recently honored post member Ellis F. Temples of Saluda County on his 100th birthday. He was presented the Quilt of Valor, a 100 Year Centennial Legion Coin and a WWII Cap. Saluda native Duane Johnson is also a member of the post.
•Saluda High School congratulated three Saluda Tigers who signed to play college football Wed., Feb. 6. There were running back Jeremiah Stevens who will be a member of the newly resurrected Erskine football team; lineman Trey McGraw, who will attend Limestone; and defensive back - wide receiver CJ Bosket, who signed with Navarro College in Texas. Their teammate Raquon Hartley signed earlier with Middle Tennessee State.
•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.
•The Saluda High Lady Tigers advanced the third round of the S.C. State playoffs for the first time in Coach Jeanette Wilder’s career with a 49-38 win over Landrum Friday, February 15.
•Saluda County native Davy Hite was selected for induction into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
•The South Carolina General Assembly requested the S.C. Department of Transportation name a bridge in Saluda County for fallen Deputy Sheriff Dale Hallman.
•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.
•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.
•Representative Cally “Cal” R. Forrest was awarded the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts 2018 Legislator of The Year Award at the 78th Annual SCACD Partnership Conference on February 26, 2019.
WE SAID GOOD-BYE...
•Retired teacher and Saluda native Toodie Katharine Parkman Kemp, 95, wife of the late Henry Beattie Kemp, Sr. of Trenton, SC passed away Monday, February 4, 2019, in Trenton.
Saluda native and retired business executive Wayne Padget Yarbrough, 80, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2019, in Anderson.
Saluda native and retired educator Ann Cone McWhirter, 82, passed away Thursday, February 21, 2019, Crofton, Maryland .
MARCH
•Eight local students were chosen for the annual Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington D.C., Caroline DuBose and Hagan Williams of Wyman King Academy. The students sponsored by Aiken Electric Cooperative to attend the all-expense-paid Washington Youth Tour were selected on the basis of their academic achievements, school activities, community service and a personal interview.
•Daniel Tyler Huneycutt, age 26, pled guilty to Burglary (Non-Violent) Second Degree and Grand Larceny in Saluda County this week and was sentenced to a combined 12 years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections followed by 5 years of probation.
•American Legion Auxiliary Junior Rachel Porter of Unit 65 in Saluda, S.C., made more than 20 of patriotic-patterned pillows for local veterans. Rachel, the only Junior in her unit, receives support from the adult members in Unit 65. This story was featured in the national American Legion Auxiliary blog.
•Saluda Soil and Water Conservation District awarded their Annual 2018 Cooperator of the Year to Sylvan Farms of Saluda.
•For the second time in six weeks, the flags above the State House flew at half staff for a Saluda County citizen. The first time honored Rudolph Mitchell, and Fri., Mar. 8, they flew in memory of Billy Coleman.
•During a term of court in Saluda County last week, two Sex Offenders in unrelated cases were sent to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting minors. Charles Gable Isdell, II, age 38, was sentenced to twenty (20) years and Gustavo Rodriguez Diaz, age 40, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Circuit Court Judge Walton J. McLeod IV imposed these sentences on both offenders.
•On Sunday, March 11, 2019, one month after Saluda County Water and Sewer Authority’s (SCWSA) Water Treatment Plant (WTP) was placed into operation, it received the Best Tasting Water Award at the largest water utility conference in South Carolina.
•The funeral procession for famous biker Thomas “Grub” Freeland Jr. came through Saluda around 1 pm Sat., Mar. 23. The procession of bikes was two miles long. Saluda County and Town officers provided the escort and traffic control.
•The Charleston Regional Business Journal selected Monetta native Martina Jackson, an employee of Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic in Charleston, South Carolina, as a recipient of the 2019 Forty Under 40 award.
•Saluda County public high school graduates can now attend Piedmont Technical College free of charge, thanks to a legacy left the county by the late County Council Chairman Don Hancock. The announcement came at Saluda High School at a special program on Fri., Mar. 29.
WE SAID GOOD-BYE...
Legendary Saluda attorney Billy Cohen Coleman, 103, died Monday, March 4, 2019, at the Carroll Campbell Place in Lexington, South Carolina. Coleman, who practiced law until he was 92, was a D-Day survivor in World War II, and was known throughout the county and state for his great story telling.
Tennie R. Lott, 86, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019. A well known basket weaver, she was a former president of the Saluda Branch of the NAACP.
Betty Toney Hopkins, 82, died Saturday, March 9, 201. Mrs. Hopkins was a former accountant with Saluda Appliance and TV, and was a lifelong church organist.
Retired Highway Patrolman Lemar Cockrell, 94, passed away Monday, March 4, 2019, at Saluda Nursing Center.
George Alfred “Gee” Sample, Jr., 62, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at his residence. He was a longtime pharmacy technician and equipment salesman at two Saluda pharmacies.
Championship Goes Worldwide
State Champion Number 19s, Cade Gentry and his uncle Tom Blease
Special event card
Spreading The SHS State
Championship Worldwide
Ham radio operator Brian Blease, son of Saluda natives Tommy Gene and Virginia Corley Blease has created a Special Event Station ,“W1N” with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) after the Saluda High State Championship victory to spread the good news world wide.
“For those not familiar with Ham Radio, we make contacts across the country/world, say hello, and talk about anything while swapping QSL cards confirming our contacts (QSL Cards are similar to post cards),” Blease said.
“My Special Event Station “W1N” commemorates my Dad’s 1962 State Championship win and 57 years later, our nephew Cade Gentry and the Saluda Tigers’ State Championship victory in 2019. To be correct, Tom is Cade’s Great Uncle; Barbara Gentry and Virginia Blease are sisters.
The special thing about this is that they both attend(ed) Saluda High School, wore the same #19, and played defensive back. I also coached at Saluda Middle School and worked with Coach Coates in the late 90’s. Dad is also a ham radio operator and is helping with this endeavor.
Fun Fact: Dad’s rushing record against Lexington has still not been broken. The single game rushing record is still maintained at 330 yards (and this was when players went both ways).
I have spoken with people about the Saluda High School State Championship(s) in 47 out of 48 states in the contiguous Unites States.
I have also chatted with other continents and countries in Africa (Canary Islands), South America (Argentina & Anguilla), Europe (Italy & England), and North America (Jamaica and Canada).
These contacts and special cards are literally going world wide! I have had a lot of fun this first week running this Special Event, “W1N.”
DONATIONS TO SCHOOLS - (Left to right: Ann Coker, Board Member, Dr. Harvey Livingston, Superintendent, Charlyn Staubes, Board Member, Rosa Gomez, School Nurse, Neysa Quattlebaum, School Nurse, Elizabeth O’Gorman, School Nurse, Rhonda Bedenbaugh, School Nurse, and Gina Fingerlin, Lead School Nurse)
The Charlie Foundation Donates
To Saluda County Schools
The Charlie Foundation donated funding to Saluda County Schools to purchase an additional AED Defibrillator for each of their 5 schools. These additional AED Defibrillators will allow each school to have a quicker response time in the event of a life-threatening cardiac event. Saluda County Schools would like to thank The Charlie Foundation for its continued generosity and their mission to improve education, the quality of life, and economic development in Saluda County.
Road Use Ordinance Passes
Council Passes Ordinance
Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to a controvesial ordianance that will place a $25 road use fee on all registered vehicles in the county.
The action came at a called meeting on Wed., Dec. 11. Voting in favor of the ordin ance were Vice Chairman Frank Daniel, and Councilmen Wayne Grice and Jones Butler. Councilman Justin Anderson voted against the ordinance.
The ordinance reads as follows:
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A UNIFORM SERVICE CHARGE FOR MOTORIZED VEHICLE USERS OF THE COUNTY ROADS OF SALUDA COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA.
WHEREAS, expenses for upkeep of County roads has continued to increase every year; and
WHEREAS, Saluda County has been forced to use its fund balance to balance its budget for the past few years; and
WHEREAS, Saluda County Council has after extensive study and consideration determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens and taxpayers of Saluda County, South Carolina, that an Ordinance Establishing a Road User Fee Ordinance for Saluda County, South Carolina should be enacted;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED AND ORDAINED AS FOLLOWS:
FINDINGS OF FACT:
1. There are currently in excess of three hundred fifty (350) miles of dirt and gravel roads within Saluda County, South Carolina.
2. The cost of maintaining roads is escalating at an ever accelerating rate and all funds available must be used to maintain the system in its present condition. Funds are extremely limited to implement improvements in the system.
3. The South Carolina Department of Transportation is accepting fewer roads into the State highway system.
4. The annual appropriation of “C” funds from the Department of Transportation is insufficient to impact the number of roads within Saluda County that require improvements up to State standards.
5. The State of South Carolina has for many years, through the Department of Transportation, charged motorized vehicular users fees for the use of the State highway system through the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Ordinance No. 09-19
6. Dirt and gravel roads within Saluda County are not conditioned or located for interstate or inter-county traffic. As a result, virtually all the motorized vehicular users of the roads within Saluda County are motorized vehicles licensed in Saluda County.
7. Roads within Saluda County are used by pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians and other non-motorized vehicular users. However, motorized vehicular traffic constitutes the overwhelming majority of the use of the road system. Furthermore, motorized vehicular traffic causes practically 100% of all the wear and tear on the County road system.
8. The road system within Saluda County must be maintained and improved to a much better condition to accommodate motorized vehicular traffic, and rapidly increasing volumes of traffic throughout Saluda County, especially on major roads and thoroughfares.
9. Improvements of the road system within Saluda County bestows a specific benefit on motorized vehicular users not enjoyed by the non-owning members of the general public by reason of the above.
10. The use of general tax revenues to construct and maintain roads within Saluda County has resulted in placing on property owners, including non-residents, non-users, and non-owners, the entire cost of maintaining roads through ad valorem property taxes on all taxable property in the County.
11. Counties are specifically mandated “to assess ….uniform service charges …a nd make appropriations for ... roads …” by ‘4-9-30(5) of the South Carolina Code of Laws, 1976, as amended (“The Home Rule Act”).
12. The health, order, general welfare, and convenience of the County will be served by the enactment of this ordinance.
13. Certain classes of automobiles owners should be exempted from the provisions of this ordinance. County Council determines that the exemptions from ad valorem taxes provided for by 12-37-220 S.C. Code Ann (1990 Com. Supp.) should apply to the road user fee required to be paid by this ordinance.
In order to implement the legislative intent of Saluda County Council based on the above, findings of fact, it is ordained as follows: a. The owners of every wheeled and titled vehicle, except duly licensed and registered mobile home, required to be registered and licensed in Saluda County by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, shall pay annually to the Saluda County Treasurer, a road user fee based of Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars. b. The road user fee shall be included on vehicle property tax notices in such manner and method as determined by the Saluda County Director and collected by the County Tax Collector pursuant to State law. The road user fee shall be due, payable and collected in the same manner as vehicle property taxes and shall be subject to the same penalties and interest as overdue real property taxes.
Ordinance No. 09-19 c. The proceeds from the collection of such fees shall be deposited in a fund to be administered by the Saluda County Director, who shall maintain a separate accounting of funds collected. The proceeds of such fund, together with any investment income earned thereon, must be used solely and exclusively for the construction and improvement of roads within Saluda County, related drainage or parking lots and any other related needs required for the general public’s access to publicly owned facilities. Funds not used in any fiscal year shall be carried forward and used exclusively for the construction and improvement of roads within Saluda County and related drainage. d. Funds derived from the road user fee shall be used exclusively for improving roads and streets, which are not a part of the State or Federal road system, except as may be coordinated in conjunction with the use of other State of Federal funds, upon specific approval of County Council e. Exemptions: 1. The owner of any vehicle that would be exempt from ad valorem taxes pursuant to 12-37-220 S.C. Ann (1990 Cum Supp.) shall be exempt from the provisions of the ordinance.
Should a court of competent jurisdiction declare any word, phrase, clause or provision of this ordinance invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect this ordinance as a whole or any part hereof except that specific provision declared by such court to be valid or unconstitutional.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance or inconsistent with its provisions are hereby repealed or superseded to the extent necessary to give this ordinance full force and effect. This ordinance shall take effect upon final approval of this ordinance.
Saluda County Launches New Community Alert System
The Saluda County Emergency Management Division is excited to announce that we have licensed the CodeRED Community Notification System to help disseminate important information along with alerting citizens in the path of severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and tornadoes.
A system test will occur on Friday, December 20th, 2020 at 3:00 PM.
The CodeRED system provides Saluda County officials the ability to quickly deliver messages to targeted areas or the entire county, as well as deliver severe thunderstorm, flash flood, and tornado warnings to targeted areas.
Saluda County has also been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to issue alerts via the national IPAWS system, which allows emergency officials to disseminate messages to mobile devices located within a geographic area, regardless of where the device is registered. This ensures that emergency information can be disseminated as widely as possible.
“The implementation of CodeRED in Saluda County is an absolute game changer” says Saluda County Emergency Management Director Josh Morton. “In the past, we’ve had to rely on traditional and social media to help get information out to the public during an emergency. Now, we have the ability to contact citizens quickly and directly to make sure that everyone has the information they need to stay safe during an emergency or disaster situation.”
Saluda County EMD encourages everyone to visit www.saludacounty.sc.gov, click on the CodeRED logo located at the top of the home page, or text “SaludaCo Alerts” to 99411 from your mobile phone, and enter your contact information to ensure all of the data in our system is accurate and current.
If you do not have Internet access, please contact a friend or family member to help add your contact information to the emergency database. Citizens can also call the Saluda County Emergency Management Division directly at 864-445-2529 Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 5:00 for assistance.
2019 State Champs!
STATE CHAMPS
Saluda defeated Barnwell 39-14 Friday at Benedict College’s Charlie Johnson Stadium to earn the school’s first football state championship since 1963. Story on Page 2.
Saluda Parade Saturday
Saluda’s Grinchiest Parade and Festival will be held Sat., Dec. 14. The parade begins at 11, and the festival will run most of the day. Featured, also, will be two showings of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at the Saluda Theater. Attendees are urged to walk around town and see all the Grinch displays.
Fee Ordinance Gets
Second Reading
Saluda County Council’s ordinance to establish a $25 uniform service charge for motorized vehicle users of the county roads of the county was given second reading Mon., Dec. 2.
Following a public hearing, the ordinance passed 3-1, with Vice Chairman Frank Daniel, Councilmen Wayne Grice and Jones Butler voting in favor and Councilman Justin Anderson voting against.
In the public hearing, citizens were opposed to the measure. One man suggest the Council put the fees on the owners of the big trucks that destroy the roads. He said most of those trucks are leased, so they would no pay a fee.
Most suggested the county balance the budget, rather than imposing fees.
Dr. Kathy Coleman is congratulated by Dr. Tom Dobbins, State Director of Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
Coleman Is Recipient Of Parris
Agricultural Leadership Award
COLUMBIA, SC….Dr. Kathy Coleman, Director of Clemson University’s Sandhill Research and Education Center (REC) near Columbia, SC, has been named recipient of the John W. Parris Agricultural Leadership Award by the SC Association of Agricultural Educators. The award was presented by Dr. Tom Dobbins, State Director of the Clemson University Extension Service., during the annual state conference of agricultural educators.
Dr. Coleman, a native of Hopkins, SC, earned a B.S. and an M.S. at Clemson University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. She is a recipient of the Honorary American Farmer Degree by the 700,000-member National FFA Organization.
An employee of Clemson University for 33 years, with more than 29 of those years devoted to governmental affairs, Dr. Coleman was named Director of the Sandhill Research and Education Center in 2015. She continues to assist the Clemson Public Service and Agriculture advocacy team with legislative strategies.
The 600-acre Sandhill REC is one of six Clemson University centers across the state, which are collectively known as the Clemson Experiment Station. The primary focus of the Sandhill Center is to develop research and educational programs related to agribusiness. Dr. Coleman also serves as Assistant Team Leader for the Extension Agribusiness Program. The long-term vision for the Center includes urban agriculture and conservation research unique to local soil conditions.
Dr. Coleman and her husband, Greg, reside in Saluda, SC, and they have two sons, Lewis and Thomas (deceased), and a grandson, Weyman. A member and chairman of the Saluda County School Board for a number of years, Dr. Coleman is a former chairperson of the SC School Boards Association.
The John W. Parris Agricultural Leadership Award was established several years ago by the SC Association of Agricultural Educators in honor of Mr. Parris of Columbia, SC. A graduate of Clemson University, Mr. Parris is a nationally-recognized agricultural leader and conservation visionary with more than 60 years of professional service. After retiring as Executive Director of the SC Land Resources Commission, Parris served for 15 years as Director of Public Affairs for the SC Agricultural Education Program. The first South Carolinian named to the National Conservation Hall of Fame, Parris is the only one from this state to receive the National Professional Conservationist Award. Named Man of the Year in South Carolina Agriculture by the Progressive Farmer magazine, Mr. Parris is also a recipient of the National FFA Organization’s VIP Award.
The SC Association of Agricultural Educators is a professional development organization that provides continual leadership opportunities for its members and recognizes outstanding agricultural education programs throughout the state.