2020 Commencements

KING ACADEMY CLASS OF 2020

Commencements Begin

In the most unusual commencements in history, three local schools will hold graduation exercises on three successive Fridays.
  While graduations usually attract thousands, COVID-19 restrictions will reduce attendance to hundreds.
  King Academy got things underway on May 22, Saluda High’s ceremony will be held on May 29, and RSM’s seniors will graduate on June 5.
  King’s graduation was streamed live on Facebook. Because of COVID-19 restrictions ,the “in person” event was limited to only parents and siblings of graduates.
  On Friday, May 29th at 7:00 P.M. Saluda County Schools will host its Commencement Ceremony in Bettis Herlong Stadium at Mathews Field. Please make note that due to the Coronavirus, numerous additional rules will be implemented in an effort to keep our students, families, and staff members healthy. These guidelines will be strictly enforced.
  1. Each graduate will receive two tickets per the directive from state officials for family members and friends to attend the ceremony. Tickets will be required for admittance into Herlong Stadium.
  2. Each attendee will be required to sit in pre-marked areas that will be six feet apart. No more than one person will be allowed to sit in each area as we are required to practice social distancing per Governor Henry Mc-Master’s orders.
  3. Sanitation Stations will be set up throughout Herlong Stadium. We encourage attendees to frequently sanitize their hands and to avoid touching their faces, specifically their eyes, noses and
  Ridge Spring-Monetta High School  will graduate their seniors June 5, 10 a.m., at the football stadium.
  The ceremony will be live-streamed and recorded. Safety precautions will be implemented and strictly enforced. To ensure social distancing and meet the state’s recommended guidelines, each graduate will receive two tickets, and tickets will be required for admittance into the stadium.

Rabid Skunk
Found In County

  COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that on May 13.
  Also, DHEC confirmed  that a skunk found near High Point Road and Mount Willing Road in Saluda, SC has tested positive for rabies. There are no known human exposures reported at this time; however, a dog was exposed on May 12.
  The skunk was submitted to DHEC’s laboratory for testing on May 13 and was confirmed to have rabies on May 14.
  Please contact DHEC if you know of any possible human or animal exposure. Be sure to immediately wash any part of your body that may have come into contact with saliva or neural tissue with plenty of soap and water, and seek medical attention.
  “To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals plenty of space,” said David Vaughan, Director of DHEC’s Onsite Wastewater, Rabies Prevention, and Enforcement Division. “If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it, since the possibility of exposure to rabies can occur anywhere and anytime. Contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer or wildlife rehabilitator.”
  If you believe that you, someone you know, or pets have come into contact with this raccoon, skunk, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Greenville office (for the raccoon) at (864) 372-3273, or the Affairs Aiken office (for the skunk) at (803) 642-1637 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday). To report a bite or exposure on holidays or times outside of normal business hours, please call the DHEC after-hours service number at (888) 847-0902.
  It is important to keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccination, as this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against the disease.
  This skunk is the second animal in Saluda County to test positive for rabies in 2020. In 2019, seven of the 148 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Saluda County.
  There have been 40 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2011, South Carolina has averaged approximately 130 positive cases a year.
  Contact information for local DHEC Environ mental Affairs Offices is available at www.scdhec.gov/EAoffices. For more information on rabies visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.

Testing Brings Results

GETTNG TESTED - John Sanfratello gets tested for COVID-19 from his car on Matthews Drive in Saluda Thurs., May 14. Cars began to line up at 7:30 a.m. for the free testing, sponsored by DHEC and Self Regional, which began at 9 a.m. (Photo by Wendy Cheney)

(Standard-Sentinel photo)

Testing Brings Saluda County

Total To 122 COVID-19 Cases

  Corona virus testing in the county Thursday and Friday last week, help lead to 22 news cases of COVID-19 being added to the county totals.
  The latest report said Saluda County had 122 reported cases. The report says the county had 749 estimated cases, and 171 possible cases. One hundred thirteen of the county’s cases are in the 29138 zip code. The county ranks 3rd in the state in per capita cases,
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 44; Aiken - 154; Greenwood - 69; Lexington - 516; Newberry - 31.
  The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Sunday announced 163 new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and five additional deaths.
  This brings the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 8,816 and those who have died to 385.
  Testing returned to Saluda on Mon., May 18, at the Matthews Drive location at Saluda Primary School.

Budgets Get
Second Readings

  In their second virtual meeting the COVID-19 season, Saluda County Council gave second reading to the School District One and county budgets Mon., May 11.
  The Saluda County Schools’ budget is exactly the same as last year.
The local support portion of the school district’s $19,664,537 budget is $7,551,956, 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.
  Council amended the school budget ordinance to change wording to “receive all funds generated by school millage.”
  The county budget currently stands at $13,663,389. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $237,211.
  Piedmont Technical College is requesting $241,914. They are funded through millage and this request is not included in the above figure.
  Third reading was given to the ordinance amending meeting requirement for the Fire Board.
  Council approved the Emergency Ordinance for COVID-19, extending a state of emergency.
  Generator Services got the contract for inspection and repair of the county’s six generators.
  In new business, Council entered into an agreement for the Town of Ward to assume all responsibilities for upkeep and maintenance of Ward Park.
  Adroit Company was awarded the bid to upgrade the courthouse security alarm system. The $9677.90 bill comes from the public building repair account, as will the $9360 to Edwards Heating and Cooling to replace two HVAC units at the courthouse.
  Generator Services got the bid to replace the automatic transfer switch at the Detention Center. The $7643.92 will be paid from the Jail Renovation Account.
  Georgia Detention Services will replace the camera system at the Detention Center as a cost of $34,455.63. This, too, will come from the Jail Renovation Account.
  Councilman Jones Butler’s appointment of Joan Hill to Library Board was approved. In the absence of Councilman Justin Anderson, Vice Chairman Frank Daniel announced Anderson’s reappointment nomination of Dr. Bill Sawyer of the Saluda Nursing Center Board. This was approved.

Free Testing

Free Testing Offered With
Rapid Covid-19 Rise

  With the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in Saluda County, DHEC and Self Regional Healthcare will provide no-cost, universal testing in Saluda  Thursday, May 14.
  The testing site will be located between Saluda Elementary School and Saluda Primary School. It will be open to everyone 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  The latest report said Saluda County had 87 reported cases. The report says the county had 534 estimated cases, and 621 possible cases. Seventy-nine of the county’s cases are in the 29138 zip code. The county ranks 3rd in the state in per capita cases,
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following case totals: Edgefield - 39; Aiken - 118; Greenwood - 62; Lexington - 478; Newberry - 31.
  South Carolina officials announced 113 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, along with one new death.
  The state has now confirmed 7,653 cases of the virus, and 331 deaths have been reported, according to data from the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
  South Carolinians are encouraged to monitor for symptoms, practice social distancing, avoid touching frequently touched items (such as doorknobs and handrails), and regularly wash their hands, especially after being in a public place.
  Additionally, residents can prepare for a possible illness or quarantine by:
  Periodically checking regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply at home
  Having nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins
  Getting copies and maintaining electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other sources and store them, for personal reference
  Talking with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  Individuals with signs of illness are asked to stay at home and not attend public gatherings.

Local Ramen Noodle Company, Palmetto Gourmet
Foods, Ramps Up To Meet Nationwide Demand

  In less than a year, Palmetto Gourmet Foods has turned around a noodle production facility in Saluda, South Carolina, to the point where today, more employees are needed to keep up with growing demand.
  Palmetto is now launching its instant ramen brands – Ramen Express & Chef Woo – and celebrating with a donation to several nearby hospitals.
  “In March and April, we served over 3 million meals and production continues to ramp up requiring us to hire more employees, which is great for the community and local eco-nomy,” said Sal Tortora, Director of Operations. “We also feel it’s important to give back, so we are donating thousands of cups of our new Ramen Express to local COVID centre hospitals as a thank you to our local health care heroes (#HealthCareHeroes #NursesWeek)!”
  “We are also very thankful to our employees who are our frontline heroes,” said Reza Soltanzadeh, CEO. “Palmetto employees are helping to keep America fed and shelves stocked with tasty, affordable noodles made right here in the US. We’re so proud of their efforts, and it will be a proud moment when they hand deliver the Ramen Express donations to the hospitals.”
About Palmetto
Gourmet Foods
Palmetto Gourmet Foods, located in Saluda, South Carolina, is one of the largest noodle production plants in North America. Today, the plant employs almost 100 people and is looking to hire more as they rapidly ramp up to meet nationwide demand. For more information about Palmetto, see our Palmetto Gourmet Foods Facebook page or palmettogf.com.