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.

SNC Number 5

Saluda Nursing & Rehab
Fifth  Best In State

  Saluda Nursing & Rehab Center  mangement and staff are  excited to announce that once again Saluda Nursing Center has been named as one of the Top 5 Nursing Homes in SC by Newsweek Magazine for 2023.
  Below is the official email sent to SNC
  I am reaching out on behalf of Newsweek and Statista to notify you that Saluda Nursing & Rehab Center has been recognized as one of the Best Nursing Homes of 2023.  Congratulations on the achievement!
  The Best Nursing Homes of 2023 ranking lists the best nursing homes in the 25 states with the highest number of facilities according to The United States Census Bureau. These states include Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The list evaluates the best nursing homes according to key performance data, peer recommendations, accreditation, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Newsweek and Statista designed a rigorous methodology that provided a score for every evaluated nursing home, and the scores were based on four key indicators:
· Performance Data: The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides monthly performance data for each nursing home according to health inspections, quality measures, and staffing.
  · Reputation Survey: In cooperation with Newsweek, Statista invited over 10,000 medical experts—including registered nurses, nursing home managers and administrators, nursing assistants, therapists, and physicians—to complete an online survey that assessed nursing homes.
  ·COVID-19 Response: Each nursing home’s response to the pandemic was evaluated according to its Resident Impact, Facility Capacity, Staff & Personnel, Supplies & Personal Protective Equipment, Ventilator Capacity, and Vaccination Rates.
  · Accreditations: For the first time, nursing homes accreditations from the JCI (Joint Commission International) have been added to the scoring model (if applicable). Accreditations reflect a range of structural and/or quality requirement which are now relevant to the nursing homes rankings.
  The title Best Nursing Homes 2023 serves to reinforce your reputation as a facility that offers excellent and reliable quality of care. To promote your achievement, Newsweek and Statista have created licensing packages that include a special award logo, available only to winners, allowing your nursing home to leverage this success in print and digital marketing initiatives.”

Rabid Raccoon Confirmed in
County; One Pet Exposed

  COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed that a raccoon found near Ridge Spring Highway and Hope Hl Lane in Ward, S.C., has tested positive for rabies. No people are known to have been exposed at this time. One dog was exposed and will be quarantined as required in the South Carolina Rabies Control Act.
  The raccoon was submitted to DHEC's laboratory for testing on October 31, 2022, and was confirmed to have rabies on November 1, 2022.
  “Rabies is usually transmitted through a bite or scratch which allows saliva from an infected animal to be introduced into the body of a person or another animal. However, infected saliva or neural tissue contact with open wounds or areas such as the eyes, nose, or mouth could also potentially transmit rabies,” said Terri McCollister, Rabies Program Team Leader. “To reduce the risk of getting rabies, always give wild and stray animals their space. If you see an animal in need, avoid touching it and contact someone trained in handling animals, such as your local animal control officer, wildlife control operator, or a wildlife rehabilitator. Please report all animal bites, scratches, and exposures to potentially rabid animals to DHEC.”
  If you believe that you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with this raccoon. or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC's Environmental Affairs Aiken office at (803) 642-1637 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday) or after hours and on holidays at (888) 847-0902 (Select Option 2).
   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 raccoon is the third animal in Saluda County to test positive for rabies in 2022. There have been 73 cases of rabid animals statewide this year. Since 2002, South Carolina has averaged approximately 148 positive cases a year. In 2021, none of the 101 confirmed rabies cases in South Carolina were in Saluda County.
  Contact information for local Environmental Affairs offices is available at www. scdhec.gov/EAoffices. For more information on rabies visit www.scdhec.gov/rabies or www.cdc.gov/rabies.

Veterans Day Ceremony

  Gerry M. Spragg, Sr. will be the keynote speaker at the Annual Veterans Day Program, sponsored by American Legion Post 65, Saluda, SC. 
  The venue will be held at the   Saluda Theater, adjacent to the Saluda County Historical Society Museum, 105 Law Range Street, Saluda, SC,   Friday, November 11, at 2 p.m. Admission is free and everyone is cordially invited to attend.
  Spragg is a United States Army veteran:  assignments included   Korea, Temporary Duty (TDY) in Vietnam, with the 121st Evacuation Hospital, 1st Calvary Air Evacuation and Clinical Chemistry Laboratory in Ft Sam Houston, Texas.
  Spragg attended Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN.  He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemical Engineering and Zoology from Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana.
  His working career includes Dow Chemical Company, Midlands, Michigan; Baxter Laboratories, Michigan and Auratech International, South Carolina (Hemo Cue). Spragg’s current community services include:  Vice Chairperson of Saluda County Airport Authority, Faithful Navigator of Corpus Christi Knights of Columbus, Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative Foundation Board, and Volunteer at the Saluda County Historical Society Museum. His hobbies include hunting, fishing,  antiquing and golfing.
  Spragg’s wife, Judith, is a retired Nurse and previous Director of Community Education at Providence Hospital. She also is past Adjunct Faculty in the Nursing Program at Piedmont Tech.
  Children include Michael, retired Lieutenant Colonel, US Army; 82nd Airborne Division, Signal Corp; Operation Desert Storm Vet-eran.  Cynthia, former US Navy Chief;  Enduring Freedom veteran.  Major, 106th   Air Rescue Wing, Air National Guard; PA, PhD. Angela, graduate Pharmacist from University South Carolina, currently at Walgreens. Erich, retired Colonel, Military Intelligence, several combat tours; Garrison Commander, Fort Meade, Maryland; Army Liaision, Marine War College, VA. Grandson, Brennen Spragg, former US Army, 5th Ranger batta-lion,  Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia.