Jumper Dies
(Sheriff’s Office Photo)
Bridge Jumper Dies
The body of a Newberry County man was recovered less that two hours after he jumped off the bridge near Big Man’s Landing on Hwy. 391.
According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, the victim was identified as Danny Danterrio Smith, 37, of Prosperity.
The Sheriff’s Office was called after witnesses saw Smith exit his vehicle, sit on the bridge’s guardrail, and then jump, feet first, into the water below, Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell said.
Eye witnesses, which included a fisherman in a boat and people at the Landing, reported seeing Smith come up several time and then go under for good.
Newberry, Lexington, and DNR marine patrols responded to assist in the search, as well as Prosperity Rescue/Dive Teams.
Turner said Smith went into the water at approximately 10:55 a.m. and his body was recovered at 12:38 p.m. near the spot where he jumped.
Sheriff John Perry would like to thank Newberry Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Sheriff’s Office, Prosperity Fire and Rescue and SC Department of Natural Resources for the rapid recovery.
The sheriff asked that everyone lift up the family of the deceased.
SOUTH CAROLINA AMERICAN LEGION PALMETTO BOY’S STATE - The American Legion’s Boys State program is a “Laboratory of Government”. A unique way for young men to learn about the American system of government. These young men learn politics by participating in a mock governmental system. For the year 2019, Palmetto Boy’s State will be held at Anderson University, Anderson, SC, June 9th through 15th. Citizens pictured left to right: Joe Ordile, Saluda High, son of Louis and Kim Ordile; Cade Gentry, Saluda High, son of Matt and Jennifer Gentry; Jacob McCary, Saluda High, son of Thomas (Rickey) and Stephanie McCary; Matthew Herlong, Saluda High, son of Lee and Callie Herlong; Dylan Matthews, King Academy, son of Wayne and Sherri Matthews. The Saluda American Legion Post 65 wishes to thank all who interviewed and everyone supporting Saluda American Legion Post 65 in making this 2019 encampment possible. These Citizens are sponsored by American Legion Post 65, Saluda, SC, John Hood, Post 65 Commander.
Emory School Open House
The public is invited to the open house at the newly removated Emory School on Sunday, May 5.
Doors at 2 p.m. at 2:30 the school bell will ring followed by a brief history of Emory School presented by Ralph Sheal. Among those expected to attend are Molly Mitchell Spearman , S.C. Superintendent of Education, Cal Forrest, S.C. House Representative for District 39, and Justin Anderson, County Council representative for District 3.
lf you can not make it to the the program please drop in from 3pm-4pm to check out the latest restoration and renovations.
The school is located at 416 Emory Road.
Saluda County’s New 1% Local Tax Begins May 1
The Sales Tax rate in Saluda County will increase to 8% beginning May 1, a result of last November’s voter referendum.
County voters in the general election approved a 1% Sales Tax increase for capital projects, changing the county’s Sales Tax rate to 8%.
The 1% is in addition to the county’s existing Local Option Tax.
The money from the Sales Tax increase is to be used for specific building projects, including replacement of the county’s jail, estimated to cost $8.4 million.
Those paying an Accommodations Tax will pay 9%.
The new tax will expire in eight years or when the tax generates $9.4 million, whichever comes first, unless voters approve another referendum.
Twenty-one other counties have a Capital Projects Tax. Calhoun County voters also approved a 1% Capital Projects Tax in November. Georgetown County’s Capital Projects Tax ends after April 30.
The tax does not apply to sales of unprepared food.
For more information about the state’s Sales Tax, visit the South Carolina Department of Revenue’s website at dor.sc.gov/tax/sales.
Councilman Resigns
County Councilman Miller Resigns
Saluda County Councilman D.J. Miller has resigned, because he no longer resides in the district he represents.
Miller sent the following letter of resignation to County Council Chairman Derrick Jones:
“I am writing this letter to inform you of my address change. While I do still live in Saluda County, I no longer reside within the boundaries of District 2.
In order to comply with previous Attorney General opinions, I request that you move forward with the process to fill my seat, as I am no longer legally qualified to serve as the Council Representative of District 2.
According to the Attorney General opinion and our County Attorney, I will remain as a de facto member of County Council until another Councilperson from District 2 has been elected.
It has been an honor to represent Saluda County as the representative for District 2. I am disappointed that I will not be able to complete the full 4 year term, for which I was elected.
Life has a way of progressing in ways that can be hard to predict, and often much more quickly than anticipated. I am confident that District 2 of Saluda County will elect a qualified replacement for my seat, and that Saluda County Council will continue its journey of positive change for the County. It has been an honor to serve with all of you.”
Filing will open to fill Miller’s seat at noon on May 3, and close at noon on May 13, at the County Voter Registration and Election office at 111 Law Range.
The party primaries will be held June 25, and the special election will be on Aug. 27. The District includes all or parts of Centennial, Fruit Hill, Higgins Zoar, Mt. Willing, Richland, Saluda No. 1 and Saluda No. 2 precincts.
Dr. KaRon Webb
Webb Named As New Principal
At RSM High For The 2019-20
As an assistant principal and prospective school building leader, Dr. KaRon Webb looked into available positions knowing it would not be enough for his future school to be a good fit for himself alone. As a husband and father of four children, his passion for education and student and teacher advocacy would need to lead to home.
The Webb family found that home on The Ridge at Ridge Spring-Monetta High School.
Webb will be joining Aiken County’s ONE TEAM during the 2019-20 school after Aiken County Board of Education members approved his appointment as the new principal of Ridge Spring-Monetta High School during the school board’s March 26 regularly scheduled meeting.
“Community is very important to our family, and this opportunity was the right fit for us. I am truly excited about the ability to lead Ridge Spring-Monetta High School,” Dr. Webb stated Wednesday. “I am passionate about making sure we reach our goals and I am going to make sure those goals are set high. I cannot wait to get there and start developing those important relationships with students, faculty and parents.”
Kyle Blankenship, the school’s current leader, has accepted a new position within the District for the 2019-20 school year.
“I was really attracted to Ridge Spring-Monetta High School because of their school thematic program and Farm to Table focus area,” stated Dr. Webb. “I have felt for some time that education, especially in high school, would move in the direction where it mirrored the college level in that it would begin to have students focus on specific skills, jobs and career paths, and that seems to be where we are headed.”
Webb’s own educational experiences have provided him with a unique perspective on the collective role educators play in molding their students into productive citizens.
“The responsibility of educating students does not fall to any single person in a school setting,” commented Dr. Webb. “The principal, administration, counselors and teachers should all be providing some type of advisement to students. A lot of the support I had growing up did not come from home, but from those folks at school in the teachers, coaches and counselors who supported me and sort of took me under their wing. If they had not done that for me I am not sure I would be in the position I am now.”
That type of dedication requires plenty of help, and Dr. Webb says he knows exactly where to find it.
“I very much look forward to working with our teachers,” commented Dr. Webb. “I will be there to support each teacher with whatever needs they may have. I do have high expectations, but I believe that as a team we can reach those expectations. As much as I want to place students in a position to be successful, I want to do that same thing for our teachers as well.”
Webb’s academic background includes an undergraduate degree in Computer Science, and a Masters in Educational Administration from South Carolina State University. His Doctorate of Educational Administration also came from S.C. State University.
Prior to his current position in which he serves as an assistant principal at Chester High School, Dr. Webb served as an assistant administrator for three years at Spring Valley High School. He is a member of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA) and the Office of School Leadership Development Aspiring School Leaders.
Webb says educators should not shy away from challenges, but rather, they should embrace them.
“At the high school level we have a responsibility to be able to help guide students in helping them find post-secondary pathways by exposing them to new career opportunities through project-based learning in the classroom,” he added. “We need to give them the opportunity to get hands on with the curriculum and what it is that we expect them to learn. Students are changing. They are quickly gaining access to technology at younger and younger ages. We need to develop new, more creative ways to engage them and use that to our advantage.”
He will begin his duties as Ridge Spring-Monetta High School principal in July.
“I love working with students and I am passionate about what it is we are charged to do in education,” stated Dr. Webb. “I believe we have a responsibility to put every student in a position to be successful. It is their life and they will need to make decisions based upon their interests and goals, but as the adults and the schools leaders, we need to be able to put them in a position to reach those goals.”
Emory School
Drop-in
The public is invited to a drop on May 5, from 2-4 p.m., to see the newly renovated Emory School.
There will be a brief program at the beginning of the event on the history of the school, which was built in 1890 and graduated Saluda County’s only college class in 1896.
Organizers would like to recognize living alumni at the drop-in.
If you know of any living former students, please contact Becky Clamp by Facebook Messenger or on the Emory School Facebook page.
2019 Budget Process
Budget Process Begins
Saluda County Council began the 2019-20 budget process Mon., April 8, by giving first readings to the school and county budgets.
The local support portion of the school district’s $19,664,537 budget is $7551,956, 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.
The county budget currently stands at $14,362,740.50. The difference between revenue and expenditures is $2,470,628.
Piedmont Technical College is reqesting $225,178. They are funded through millage and this request is not included in the above figures.
In other action, Council agree to hire Holt Consulting Co.for engineering and consutling services for FAA funded projects at the Saluda County Airport.
Assistant Emergency Management Director Jill Warren said the FAA requires airport to have an engineering and consultant firm retained for all its funded projects. The Aiport Commission recommened the hiring of Holts, which has some Saluda County natives on staff.
Council passed the Fair Housing resolution, then aporoved moving funds from Contingency to balance accounts.
Chairman Derrick Jones said he hopes the county can put money into the reserve fund next year, rather than taking it out.
The following action came out of Executive Session at the end of the meeting:
Saluda County Council approved to purchase seven security camera systems for the county convenience centers at a cost not to exceed $4,000.00 to be funded from the Solid Waste Revenue account.
Piedmont Tech officials meet with Ann Hancock Coker and Charlyn Hancock Staubes (right front) as they signed paperwork establishing The Charlie Foundation Scholarship in Saluda County.
State Superintendent Molly Spearman speaks at the launch event.
The Charlie Foundation From
Piedmont Tech’s Perspective
NOTE: While The Charlie Foundation has been featured in the last two issues, this story is supplied by Piedmont Tech.
Representatives from The Charlie Foundation, school officials and high school students recently gathered at Saluda High School to celebrate the launch of The Charlie Foundation Scholarship.
The scholarship is designed to make college more affordable for recent Saluda County high school graduates by covering the remaining tuition and required fees after state and federal financial aid—effectively making attendance at Piedmont Technical College tuition-free for qualifying students.
Molly Spearman, state Superintendent of Education spoke at the event, along with Dr. Ray Brooks, president of Piedmont Technical College. Rep. Cal Forrest and Sen. Floyd Nicholson were in attendance along with representatives from Saluda and Ridge Spring-Monetta high schools.
“I’m so thrilled that my good friend Don Hancock had the vision to start this educational foundation,” Spearman said, addressing a group of Saluda County students. “Now it’s time for you to have the vision to take this opportunity, and to go on and do great things. The world is before you.”
The Charlie Foundation was the dream of the late Saluda County Council Chairman Don Hancock. Through this new initiative, Hancock’s love for and dedication to Saluda County residents will continue for generations to come.
“Don wanted Saluda County students to know that a college education is an option. He was passionate about making Saluda County a better place for everyone, and that’s why The Charlie Foundation is starting with education. Our children are the future of our county,” said Charlyn Hancock Staubes, a member of the Foundation.
To be eligible, students must be Saluda County residents and be recent graduates of Saluda High School, Batesburg-Leesville High School or Ridge Spring-Monetta High School. The scholarship must be used within 12 months of high school graduation.
To apply, graduating seniors should apply to Piedmont Technical College, submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and register for classes by August 1.
“With all the financial aid options that are available to students, many will pay nothing out of pocket for tuition once they complete the financial aid process,” said Ann Hancock Coker, a Foundation board member. “But for those who need additional support, The Charlie Foundation Scholarship will be there.”
Similar programs launched recently in Laurens, Greenwood and Abbeville counties have seen immediate results: most notably increasing the rate of college attendance for recent high school graduates by a significant rate. Based on results seen by other longer-running programs of this type, the three existing programs expect to see longer-term impact on the rate of postsecondary educational attainment, workforce development and overall quality of life in the three counties.
“We think this program will have a huge, positive impact on Saluda County in the long term,” Staubes said.
Springfest 2019
Saturday, April 20
10am -12am at the park
Egg hunt starts at 10.
Last year we had 20 plus booths and it was a success. We would love for anyone to join as we make an event for Saluda. Anyone that would like to have a information booth or a booth in general, please contact me at Treyshealy40 @gmail.com.
Fire Claims Two Lives
Woman and Child
Die In House Fire
A woman and her grandchild died in a house fire in Saluda County near Lake Murray Fri., April 5.
Chief Deputy Coroner Dudley Rushton identified the two people who died in the fire as Karen Metts Blanset, 63, and 1-year-old John-Michael Burton Hall
While Rushton remained on the scene, Coroner Keith Turner accompanied the ambulance transporting the victims to the hospital, where Mrs. Blanset and the child were pronouced dead.
An autopsy at a Greenville hospital revealed both victims died of smoke inhalation, Turner said.
Blanset called the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office at about 9:30 a.m. Friday and told dispatch her house was on fire, according to Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell.
When deputies arrived at the 104 Birdsong Lane residence, they found a 4-year-old in the front yard asking for help.
The doors to the home were locked. Once firefighters arrived, they entered the house and found Blanset lying on the floor and the child on the second floor, Cockrell said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Along with the sheriff’s and coroner’s offices, responding agencies included the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, State Law Enforcement Division, EMS and four fire departments: Saluda, Midlands Circle, Hollywood and Old Towne.
Garden Club of Saluda
Celebrates 90th Anniversary
The Garden Club of Saluda met on Monday, April 1 at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church social hall to celebrate a milestone in the club’s long history.
On September 26, 1929, Miss Perrine Crouch established the organization which had as its main purpose to beautify the Saluda County Courthouse grounds. At that time the courthouse was relatively new as were the grounds. The club’s first project, with some help from the county, was the planting of shrubbery and the maintenance the new plants would require. Under the leadership of Miss Perrine and other dedicated gardeners, this project would continue for many years.
To celebrate its long history, the club held an old-fashioned tea where each member had the option of wearing hats and gloves, reminiscent of those long ago days when no lady would have attended such an event without the proper attire. Brenda Mitchell was the hostess for the tea where she explained the intricacies of the low tea and the high tea and the proper order of serving the tea and foods. She had decorated the social hall with beautiful teapots, floral arrangements, and lace cloths to add to the thoroughly lady-like atmosphere.
Bonnie Sawyer, current president, gave a brief synopsis of the 90 years that make up the history of the club.
One interesting note is that The Garden Club of Saluda predates the Federated Garden Club of South Carolina. Miss Perrine was one of ten representatives from other garden clubs in South Carolina who met at Trinity Parish House in Columbia on April 22, 1930 for an organizational meeting of the state club. That club had its first meeting on December 9, 1930.
Dressing up was fun, if not a little silly, for the members of The Garden Club of Saluda, but the work that the club carries out from year to year is still as important as it was 90 years ago when Saluda was a young, growing town and county.