Murder Ruling

Death Ruled A Homicide

  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office has ruled the death of Zonnie T. Cyrus as a homicide.  
  An autopsy was performed Nov. 22 at Newberry Pathology Group to determine the cause of death was due to gunshot wounds.  
  The Coroner’s Office responded to a death involving a body being found in the Monetta area near a pond on Nov. 19. The decedent was identified as Zonnie T. Cyrus, age 22 of Ridge Spring.
  The Coroner and his staff extend their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Cyrus.
  The Coroner’s Office is working closely with the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office and SLED as they continue a criminal investigation into this matter.

 

(Saluda Fire Department photos)

Valley Protein Catches Fire

  A fire  broke out at the Valley Protein plant in Ward on Thanksgiving Day.
  According to Saluda County Emergency Management Director Josh Morton,  the fire was called in around 2:15 p.m. as a structure fire at Valley Proteins - which is located on Valpro Road in the Ward community.
  Morton said plant officials said the fire started in a cooking unit at the plant but spread to much of the rest of the plant afterward. According to Morton, it took dozens of firefighters from Saluda County and nearby agencies several hours to contain the fire.
  While the fire was considered under control by the 5 p.m. hour, Morton said it was still burning even late into the evening, and crews  remained there through the night.
  Fire marshals were on the scene to try and figure out what caused the fire, but were limited in their investigation by structural safety issues in the damaged portions of the plant. Investigators  utilized drones to look deeper into the plant for those answers.
  Several  fire crews from  neighboring counties including Laurens, Abbeville, Greenwood, and Newberry assisted
  It was too early to assess the overall damage to the plant, which predominantly renders meat by-products for pet food, but Morton said that it is substantial and added that the plant will not likely be able to reopen quickly.

Bear Visits County

Scott Mitchell got quite a surprise last week when he checked his wildlife camera and saw a bear eating at his corn pile. The bear visited a couple a days. The bear was behind his house near the Edgefield - Saluda County line. Mitchell does taxidermy and was asked if he had ever “stuffed” a bear. “I have done rugs and heads. I promised myself a few years ago not to do anymore bears. They’re greasy and messy as heck.
  And wouldn’t you know, one would show up at my house!”

Accident Victim

County Man
Dies In Accident

  A Saluda County man was killed in an early Sun. morning, Nov. 13, car crash, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.
  The single-vehicle collision happened at about 4:45 a.m. in Saluda County, according to Master Trooper Mitchell Ridgeway.
  A 1997 Honda sedan was driving north on Old Chappells Ferry Road when it crossed the center line, Ridgeway said. The car ran off the left side of the road where it hit a mailbox and ditch before crashing into a culvert.
  The Saluda resident driving the car died at the scene.   The Saluda County Coroner’s Office identified the driver and the only occupant of the Honda Accord as Willie Odell Mason, 32.
  The crash continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Brief Council Meeting

  Saluda County Council’s Nov. 14 meeting was a short one.
  With only four items on the agenda, the public portion of the minutes only lasted a few minutes.
  Council voted to reassign property for a future fire training center. The property discussed in is located behind Southland Log Homes, off the Batesburg Hwy.
  The contract with Moseley Architects for the Detention Center design was reinstated.
  Council approved the purchase of a $9670 utility/storage building for the coroner’s office, using building reserve account funds. Coroner Keith Turner said the building is well built and will only need a wire run to the meter to get the power going.
  Tina Ross was appointed to the Workforce Development Board.

Saluda High Students Create
Ornaments For State Tree
In National Ceremony

  WASHINGTON-From state flowers to notable landmarks, American students, including some from Saluda High School, have designed one-of-a-kind ornaments to celebrate the places they call home.
  These ornaments will adorn 58 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree. The trees represent states, territories, and schools managed by the Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity.
  The Saluda High students, under the tutelage of art teacher Wayne Bell, designed ornaments to represent the state of South Carolina.
  The America Celebrates ornament program is an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Park Foundation (NPF). Each federal partner worked within their organizations to facilitate the identification of elementary, middle and high schools to participate in the America Celebrates program. The project is funded by the NPF.
  The National Christmas Tree Lighting has strong ties to education.
  In 1923, a letter arrived at the White House from the District of Columbia Public Schools proposing that a decorated Christmas tree be placed on the South Lawn of the White House. On Christmas Eve that year, President Calvin Coolidge walked from the Oval Office to the Ellipse and pushed a button that lit the first National Christmas Tree.
  During World War II, wartime restrictions meant no new ornaments were pur- chased for the National Christmas Tree in 1942. Washington, D.C students donated ornaments that would supplement the use of reused ornaments from previous years. This year, more than 2,600 students participated in the American Celebrates ornament program! The students, ages 4 to 19-years-old, learned about the places they call home. From history and ecological wonders, to exploring different mediums of art, these students’ ornaments are a must-see this holiday.
  Since 1973, the National Christmas Tree has been a living tree which can be viewed year-round in President’s Park - one of America’s 423 national parks!
  The America Celebrates display is one of the highlights of the National Christmas Tree experience. You’re invited to view the National Christmas Tree and the 58 trees’ ornaments up close from Dec. 2 through Jan. 1, 2023. Can’t make in person? Check out the President’s Park Facebook page for photos of the ornaments!
  In partnership with NPF, CBS will broadcast the 2022 ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 11 (8 - 9 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. The National Christmas Tree Lighting will also be available for the public to View at CBS.com beginning Dec. 12.
  For more event information and updates, please visit www.thenationaltree.org and follow President’s Park on Facebook or Twitter.
  58 schools designed ornaments for the 2022 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park.

Referendum Passes

School Referendum
Passes 2543 to 2357

  Voters in Saluda County Schools District One passed a $49 million school building referendum in the General Election, Tues., Nov. 8.
  In a close vote, “Yes” received 2543 or 51.9 percent, and “No” received 2357 or 48.1 percent.
  In a countywide vote, citizens cast ballots in favor of changing the form of county government. Voters approved the Council-Administrator form with five (5) council members, the chair of which is elected at-large and the remaining four (4) are elected from single member election districts. The Administrator has a bigger role in this form of government.
  County Council Chairman Jim Moore was the only candidate on the ballot for his position, but former Recreation Director Paul Ergle had launched a write-in campaign for the job. Moore won with 4686 votes,  “Write-in” got 863.
  The Town of Saluda  featured three candidates running for the office of mayor, including current Mayor Amelia Herlong, current Town Councilman Milliken Matthews and retired transportation policeman Wayne Bryan. Bryan received 126 votes, while Herlong and Matthews received 242 each. Herlong and Matthews will meet in a run-off election on Tues., Nov. 22.
    The total cost for the school building projects is $93 million, but the district has received $42 million from the state and $2 million from the district for capital projects, making the referendum cost $49 million.
  The building project includes:
  Saluda Elementary: New pre-K-5 grade school; remove old elementary building; open community/stadium spaces
  Hollywood Elementary: Add new classrooms; renovate existing school and gym
Add a new driveway system (safety related); upgrade safety and technology throughout campus
  Middle/High Complex: Add classrooms to the middle school; add career center classrooms to the high school; upgrade safety and technology throughout campus
  Football Stadium: New field house with restrooms & concessions.
  Following are the Saluda County election totals:
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
  Governor and Lieutenant Governor - Henry McMaster / Pamela Evette - 4692 (Republican); Bruce Reeves / Jessica Ethridge - 79 ( Libertarian ); Joe Cunningham / Tally Parham Casey - 1782 (Democratic)
  Secretary of State -Mark Hammond - 4970 (Republican); Rosemounda Peggy Butler - 1561 (Democratic)
  State Treasurer -. Curtis Loftis - 5094 (Republican) Sarah E Work -  617 (Alliance)
  Attorney General -Alan Wilson - 5321( Republican )
  Comptroller General -Richard Eckstrom - 5322 ( Republican)
  State Superintendent of Education - Patricia M Mickel - 117 (Green); Ellen Weaver - 4040 (Republican); Lisa Ellis - 2050 (Democratic)
  Commissioner of Agriculture - Chris Nelums - 305( United Citizens); David Edmond - 431 (Green); Hugh Weathers - 4963 (Republican)
  U.S. Senate 2 - Tim Scott - 4935 (Republican); Krystle Matthews - 1604 ( Democratic )
LOCAL ELECTIONS
   U.S. House of Representatives District 03 - Jeff Duncan - 5313( Republican)
  State House of Representatives District 39 - Cal Forrest - 4768 ( Republican )
  State House of Representatives District 82 - William Bill Clyburn - 760 (Democrat)
  Auditor -Memmus H Forrest - 5320 (Republican )
  County Treasurer -  Tiffany R Shaw - 5381 (Republican)
   County Council Chair -Jim Moore - 4686 ( Republican): Write-in - mostly Paul  Ergle - 863.
  County Council District 1 - Frank Daniel - 1028 - (Democrat)
  County Council District 3 - Justin Anderson - 1876 (Republican)
  Soil and Water District Commission - Carey E Frick - 2559 (Nonpartisan);  James R Nichols - 3225 (Nonpartisan )
  Lexington School Board District 3 - Frances K. Bouknight - 387, Cheryl A. Burgess - 308, Write-in - 276
  Saluda County School Board District 1 - Seat 2 - Kathy Coleman - 446; Seat 4 - Cecelia Yonce - 473; Seat 6 - Christy Corley Nichols - 966
  Town of Saluda -
  Mayor - Wayne Bryan - 126, Amelia Herlong- 242, Milliken Mathews - 242
  Ward 1 - Milliken Matthews - 97; Ward 3 - Lauren Yonce - 185.
  Commissioner of Public Works - Miriam Adams - 486
STATEWIDE
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
  Amendment 1 - Yes - 3557, No - 2732
  Amendment 2 - Yes - 3471. No - 2735

GROUNDBREAKING -      Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Fri., Nov. 4, for the new Old Town Fire Station, located on the Newberry Hwy. Speaking were County Council chairman Jim Moore, left, and Old Town Fire Chief Daniel Patterson, right.

Old Town Fire Station Groundbreaking

  Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Fri., Nov . 4, for the new Old Town Fire Station.
  The new station will replace the current one in the Old Town community on the Newberry Hwy., which is more than forty years old. Old Town was Saluda County’s first rural fire department.
“The new station will allow for growth and expansion of Old Town Fire Department,” County Council Chairman Jim Moore said, “and represents a commitment by Saluda County to our fire service.
  We are blessed in this county to have dedicated first responders who are willing to run to the scene of whatever disasters to aide their fellow citizens. Our fire service, EMS, and Sheriff’s Office are our most important assets and deserve all the support we can give them.
  This new station is an important first step in Saluda County providing fire responders with the necessary tools and facilities they need to better serve and protect us.”
  The new fire station will be the first station in Saluda County to be funded by the county.  It is anticipated that the new station will open in the summer of 2023.