Lenghty Sentences
Multiple Offenders In The 11th Judicial
Circuit Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences
Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard continues to praise his staff for the work they are doing during these unprecedented times.
“Our office continues to be dedicated to seeking justice and protecting our communities. Despite primarily holding court virtually since April, we have been working hard to be as productive as possible. However, during this time, throughout our Circuit, we have handled over 300 criminal court matters, including 165 guilty pleas. We are currently developing a safety plan in coordination with Court Administration, our Chief Administrative Judge, and the Lexington County Clerk of Court in an effort to resume in-person court and trials in the near future. The safety of our employees, court officials, and the public is our number one priority.”
Last week, several serious offenders were sentenced to lengthy, active prison sentences for offenses throughout the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.
Andrew Blake Stacy, 25, was sentenced to ten (10) years for his role in an Armed Robbery and Trafficking Methamphetamine in Lexington County.
On New Year’s Eve 2018, Stacy was driving a stolen vehicle out of Richland County when he came upon a husband and wife who were broken down on the side of Calvary Church Road in Lexington. Stacy pointed a gun at them and stole their motorcycle. Deputies with the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. Stacy attempted to flee on foot, however, he was tracked and apprehended by K-9 officers.
While out on bond for the robbery incident, deputies with the Lexington County Sherriff’s Department encountered Stacy riding on a stolen motorcycle and speeding near the 100 block of Sutton Road in Gaston. Stacy led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed the motorcycle. Deputies found over 10 grams of methamphetamine along with a handgun in Stacy’s possession.
Stacy has prior convictions for drugs, weapons, and thefts. This case was prosecuted by Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Melanie Darko.
Tyrese Dashawn Johnson, 21, was sentenced to fifteen (15) years for two counts of Burglary Second Degree – Violent in Lexington and Saluda counties. Johnson was also sentenced concurrently to thirteen (13) years for his role in an Armed Robbery and ten (10) years on an Escape charge.
In November of 2019, Johnson and a co-defendant broke into local businesses in Saluda and Lexington counties. During the incidents, the pair drove a burgundy Ford Taurus and the same clothing. Multiple law enforcement agencies were able to link Johnson and his co-defendant to the burglaries by video surveillance. Law enforcement also captured Johnson’s co-defendant running from the scene of one of the burglaries. Both individuals ultimately confessed.
Johnson was arrested at his residence for the burglaries on November 28, 2019, by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. During transport to the Lexington County Detention Center, Johnson escaped from the patrol vehicle. Despite an extensive search for Johnson, law enforcement was unable to locate him.
On December 11, 2019, Johnson and a few others planned an armed robbery by luring the victim over to a residence in the Gilbert area of Lexington County. During the robbery, the victim was held at gunpoint, struck with the weapon, and a gun was placed at his head while demands were made for his personal property. The victim was eventually allowed to leave the residence and immediately reported the robbery to law enforcement.
Johnson has prior convictions for theft, drugs, burglaries, and a weapon charge. These cases were investigated by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, Ridge Spring Police Department, and the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office. Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Sutania A. Fuller handled the prosecution of this case.
Robert Lewis Beard, II, 40, was sentenced concurrently to thirty (30) years for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the First Degree and twenty (20) years for two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the Second Degree for the sexual abuse of three minors in Edgefield, Saluda, Aiken, and Spartanburg counties.
Beard was a Corporal at the Aiken County Detention Center at the time of his arrest.
The investigation revealed that Beard sexually abused three minor children for years. Law enforcement became aware of the abuse when one of Beard’s victims made the disclosure following a presentation at a middle school about body safety hosted by the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, commonly known as SLED. The Aiken County Solicitor’s Office handled the prosecution of this case along with Eleventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Erik Drylie.
2020 Saluda Young Farmer
Scholarship Recipient
The Saluda Young Farmers recently awarded six scholarships for 2020.
This year’s recipients are: Texanna Miller, Wyatt Doolittle, Makayla Porter, Allie Trotter, Alexis Gunter, and Elissa Rodgers.
Texanna is the daughter of Russell & Candice Miller. She is attending Clemson University, majoring in Agronomy. Wyatt is the son of Chuck & Jodi Doolittle. He attends Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and majors in Animal Science.
Makayla is the daughter of Randall & Kim Porter. She attends Piedmont Technical College, majoring in Diversified Agriculture. Texanna, Wyatt, and Makayla are current Saluda Young Farmer members as well.
Allie is the daughter of James & Ronette Trotter. She will be attending Clemson University this fall, majoring in Animal and Veterinary Science. Alexis is the daughter of Brad & Jennifer Gunter. She will attend ABAC this fall, majoring in Agricultural Education.
Elissa is the daughter of Chad & Melissa Rodgers. She will be attending Piedmont Technical College this fall, studying Veterinary Technology.
Congratulations to each of these agriculture students!
Bodies Laid To Rest
Unclaimed Bodies Laid To Rest
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office held a special burial service early Wednesday morning (August 12, 2020), at Trinity Cemetery in Saluda, where nine individuals were given their final resting place.
This service was dedicated to individuals whose bodies were unclaimed, according to Coroner Keith Turner.
Pastor Burton Campbell and Pastor Chris Bosket shared a message of hope and love for these nine individuals in words of scripture, prayer and song.
Because of COVID concerns /restrictions the ceremony was private though the service was attended by county officials, Trinity Cemetery (group members), the Coroner’s Office and several from residential care homes in the area.
Those buried were:
•Ms. Fern Murphy
•Mr. James F. Besso
•Mr. Edward Terry
•Ms. Lillie Mae Lewis
•Ms. Sandra Edwards
•Mr. Luvette Brooker
•Baby Omar Pascual Matias
•Ms. Janice E. Grant
•Ms. Joyce Gibbie
The Coroner’s Office would like to offer special thanks to the following for assistance in making this ceremony possible: Pastor Burton Campbell, Pastor Chris Bosket, Trinity Cemetery (group), Kay’s Flowers, Ramey Funeral Home, Saluda County Director-Sandra Padgett, Saluda County Council and our staff.
Strawbridge Assumes Chairman Duties
For the fist time since Oct. 2019, the Saluda County Council meeting as presided over by a County Council Chairman.
At the Mon. Aug. 10, meeting, newly elected Chairman Jerry Strawbridge assumed his new duties.
Former Chairman Derrick Jones abruptly resigned on Nov. 8, 2019. That led to candidates announcing, a Republican Primary, and a special election, whose date was postponed twice by the pandemic. Finally, in July, Strawbridge, a Republican, won election over Democratic challenger Darren Horne.
Since November, Vice-Chairman Frank Daniel had run the meetings.
Strawbridge’s first meeting was uneventful.
It began with a public hearing on the Saluda County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is required to be updated every five years, Emergency Management Director Josh Morton said.
The mitigation plan serves as a blueprint for reducing property damage and saving lives from the effects of future natural disasters. This plan is required for Saluda County to be eligible to receive certain types of federal disaster assistance.
No one spoke at the public hearing other than Morton. After Strawbridge ended the hearing, Council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution for the plan.
Daniel returned to preside when Council had to adopt two resolutions, placing Strawbridge as a voting member of both The Tri-County Solid Waster Authority and Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority Boards of Directors.
Council approved funds to replace a HVAC unit in the Courthouse courtroom ($6400) and one at the Sheriff’s Office ($4400). Edwards Heating & Cooling got the bid for both jobs.
Road & Bridge Supt. Billie Corley’s request to fill a vacant mechanic position was approved.
Band Practice
A SIGN OF NORMALCY - It isn’t often in these pandemic times do we see something that borders on normal,but the Saluda High School band practicing on a hot August morning last week certainly comes as close as anything seen lately. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Earthquake Felt In County
The earthquake that struck Sparta, NC, Sun. morning was felt in parts of Saluda County.
The 5.1 magnitude quake happened at 8:07 a.m. in the town that is located near the Virginia border.
The tremor was felt in seven states.
Soon after the earthquake, some Saluda County residents start-ed posting on social media that their homes shook.
County Ranks Ninth In
Property Tax Study
A recent study by financial technology company Smart Asset finds the places in South Carolina where residents receive the most value for what they pay in property taxes.
The study has Saluda ranked ninth.
First, the study measures the effective property tax paid in each county to determine the relative property tax burden. From there, the study analyzes the quality of public schools within the county. Finally, it measures how much value properties in the county have gained throughout a five year period.
Taken together, these factors determine where residents are seeing the most value for their property taxes. For a look at the top performing counties in South Carolina, check out the table below.
Additional details on the study, including the methodology and interactive map, can be found here: https://smartasset.com/taxes/south-carolina-property-tax-calculator#southcarolina.
District Plan Approved
SPEARMAN VISITS - State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman, center, visited her home school district last week, after she approved the District’s reopening plan. Welcoming her were, L to R, District Supt. D. Harvey Livingston, Assist Supt. Dr. Abby Duggins, and administrators Tammie Shore and Sarah DeLoach. (District photo)
District Reopening Plan Approved
Saluda County School District was one of the first six approved for reopening by State Superintendent of Education Molly M. Spearman.
“Saluda County is offering a hybrid option and a fully-virtual option “with strong communication procedures with students and families to ensure they stay on track,” Spearman, who visited her home district soon after the plam was approved, said.
She added the district has a framework for helping special populations, such as students with disabilities and English language learners.
“Saluda County Schools was excited and honored that our reopening plan was one of the first approved in the state and the first approved in the Midlands.” District Superintedent Dr Harvey Livingston said.
“The Saluda Reopening Task Force began its work in March to begin the process of developing a plan for the safe reopening of schools this fall. The task force was composed of over 50 teachers, administrators, parents, staff members, state/local agencies, and community leaders. “The task force divided into three groups, as we addressed the issues of safety, instruction, and the social and emotional health of our students and staff. With the continued support of our teachers, parents, students, and the Saluda County School District Board of Trustees, we are confident that our plan will allow us to safely reopen our schools on August 31.
“Our goal is for every school to return to five day face-to-face instruction as quickly as safety conditions allow,” Spearman said. “South Carolinians can support their neighborhood school by wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing, washing their hands regularly, and staying at home when sick. These precautions have the potential to significantly expedite our education system’s return to normalcy.”
Spearman said for a district’s plan to be approved, it must meet the following criteria:
1. A virtual option for all students
•Districts may choose to deliver their own virtual program, take advantage of VirtualSC, suggest enrollment in one of the public charter virtual schools, or contract the service.
•Districts must ensure that any virtual model includes at least an initial in-person contact with students. Intermittent face-to-face contact with students is also strongly encouraged.
2. An in-person option for all students
•Hybrid/blended learning models will be considered an in-person option for students.
•If a five day a week face-to-face instruction model can be safely offered, districts are encourage to do so; however, it is not required for plan approval.
3. A time-frame for when districts intend to review operational plans so that implementation of a full face-to-face instruction model can be worked towards as health and safety conditions improve.
4. Establish how high quality instruction will be provided, regardless of instructional model, and demonstrate how a broad range of student services will be provided. This includes ensuring all federal and state law requirements are met.
State Champs Serve Saluda
Saluda High’s defending 2-A State Championship football team doesn’t just rest on its laurels. Head Coach Stewart Young posted the above pictures on social media showing some members of the team taking part in the ServeSaluda project, which renovates homes in the community in need of repair.
County Cases Pass 400
Saluda County’s COVID-19 death cases now top 400.
Saluda County’s total cases has risen to 414, 39 more than at the same time last week, with three deaths.
The latest DHEC report says the county had 2543 estimated cases, and 2957 possible cases. Of the county’s cases, 348 are in the are in the 29138 zip code.
Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Aiken - 1491; Edgefield - 279; Greenwood - 1255; Lexington - 4592; Newberry - 772.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Sun., Aug. 2, announced 1,110 new confirmed cases and 1 new probable case of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, 27 additional confirmed deaths and no new probable deaths.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 91,257 probable cases to 531, confirmed deaths to 1,709, and 68 probable deaths.