Feb. 5 Fatality

Saluda County Motor
Vehicle Collision Fatality

  On the early morning of Sunday, February 5, 2023 the Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a one vehicle crash on Highway 23 near Dickert Drive and Topaz Road in Batesburg. C
  oroner Keith Turner has identified the driver of the Chevrolet Impala as Mary Laverne Long, age 45 of Saluda County.
  Ms. Long’s vehicle appeared to have traveled off the right side of the road and struck a power pole.  The driver was ejected from the car and unfortunately died at the scene.
  The fatality is under investigation by the SC Hwy. Patrol and the Coroner’s Office. An autopsy is scheduled for early this week.
  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office appreciates the response and assistance of Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Fire and Dominion Energy.
  We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Ms. Long.

Books Open For Saluda
Town Council Election

  A special candidate filing period for the Town of Saluda, Ward 1, will open at 12 noon Fri., Jan. 20, and close at 12 noon on Tues.,. Jan 31.
  Filing will take place a Town Hall.
  The election is the fill the vacancy created when elected Ward 1 Councilman Miliken Matthews was elected Mayor. He ran for both posts.

RADIUS CHURCH DONATES TO SCHOOLS - Saluda County School District remains grateful for our strong community partnerships. A heartfelt thanks to Radius Church for their consistent “Give Hope” funding, provided to each school in our district.

Spring Fest Vendors Needed

Vendors are needed for the Town of Saluda’s Sping Fest on April 1 To sign-up please go to the Town’s Facebook page or visit this site http://www.townofsaluda.com/festivals.

Homicide

SUSPECTS SOUGHT

Supposed Vehicle Death

Now Ruled a Homicide

  A death that was originally thought to be a vehicle accident fatality has now been ruled a homicide.
  On the late evening of Friday, January 20th, the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office responded to a one vehicle crash on May Branch Road in Saluda County. Minutes prior to receiving a 911 call related to the crash, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call in reference to shots fired in the area of May Branch Road.  
  The occupant of the passenger car involved in the crash died on the scene and  was identified identified by the Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner  as Alex K. Donaldson, age 26, of Orangeburg. An autopsy was performed on the following Monday and revealed Donaldson died of a gunshot wound.
  Through the course of this investigation, the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office has identified and obtained arrest warrants for Bernard Gilliam Jr. and Tridarin Weaver.  Both are charged with the offenses of Murder and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is working with the US Marshall’s Fugitive Task Force and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Fugitive Task Force to assist in locating both Gilliam and Weaver.
  If you have any information relating to the whereabouts of Bernard Gilliam Jr. and Tridarin Weaver, please contact the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office.   
  The Saluda County Coroner’s Office appreciates the response and assistance of Saluda County EMS and the other responding agencies.  We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Donaldson.

SLED Charges  County Woman

  Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Sherry Rodgers Kirkland, 61, of Saluda, SC, on January 12, 2023, with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent.
  According to the warrant, Mrs. Kirkland “did knowingly, willingly, and without the lawful authority to do so, take, steal, or convert to her ownership, more than $1 0,000,00 from her employer, the Amick Grove Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she held a position of trust. This offense occurred between January l, 201l, and December 12, 2018 at 2090 Batesburg Highway, Batesburg, SC, which is located within the legally recognized boundaries of Saluda County, South Carolina.”
  Kirkland was booked at the Saluda County Detention Center. The case will be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Big Rainfall Makes It Soggy

 No one needs to be told January 2023 was a wet month.
  In fact, the 7.54 inches of rain during the month was the largest January total in recent history.
  This compares to the 3.82 inches that fell during the same time last year.
  Rain fell on 14 days during the month.
  January  had some some mild temperatures.
  The temperatures ranged from a high of 46 on Jan. 23 to 71 on Jan. 4. The lowest morning temperature, 23, was recorded on Jan. 16 and 17.
  This information was reported by NWS observer Edwin Riley at the Saluda CPW.

77 County COVID
 Cases In January

  Saluda County’s COVID-19  cases total 77 from Jan. 1-28. There is a positivity percent of 15.9.
  Saluda County has 14 completed vaccinations and ranks 46th in the state.
  The number of tests given in Saluda County is 272.
  Counties neighboring Saluda had the following cases during the week: Aiken - 700 (20.1% positivity;   Edgefield - 74 (10.3%);  Greenwood -239 (25.59%); Lexington -    1445 (17.27%);  Newberry - 177 (12.1%).
  Positive tests were  17.3% in the state.
  The state total is 19,707 and 127 deaths.
  Be Positive You’re Negative
  DHEC urges South Carolinians to be positive you're negative by routinely getting tested if you're regularly out in the community.  DHEC-sponsored testing is free, doesn't require insurance, and results are available within 72 hours. DHEC's testing options have expanded to include shallow nasal testing, an oral swab, or a saliva test at different locations.
  The local sites giving vaccinations are Emmanuel Family Clinic - Saluda (Public health provider – Rural Health Clinic), 501 West Butler Ave, Saluda, SC 29138.,  the Saluda County Health Department, Mondays and Wednesdays,445-2141, and CVS, appointment, walk-in.

January Court Cases

Forty-Three Sentenced

  Forty-three defendants were sentenced on guilty plays during the last session of Saluda County General Sessions Court.
  Sentence were:
  Joel Weston Dowd, malicious injury to property, more than $10,000, ten years, suspended to nine days and five years probation. Brian Timothy Long, assault and battery 3rd, 30 days.
  Julio Humino Melendez-Soto,  malicious injury to property, more than $2000 but less than $10,000, three years, suspended to 298 days, five years probation; possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base - 1st offense, 29 days.
  Allison Paige McEl-veen,  possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base - 1st offense, 2 years, suspended to 18 days, 30 months probation; possession of Sched 1 - V drugs, 1st, 2 years, suspended to 18 days, 30 months probation.
  Cedric Lamond Herrin, possession of over one ounce of marijuana, $200 fine. Scott Harold Schader, possession of other controlled substances 1st, two days.
  Jasmine Quontera Ethredge, failure to stop for blue light, two days. Cerome Emelio Cart-ledge, possession of less than one ounce marijuana, one day.
  Justin Adam Risinger, possession of controlled substance, 45 days. Antonio Alexander Scott, possession of controlled substance, one day.
  Malik Jamal Dirton, possession of controlled substance, one day. Benito Juan, assault and battery 1st, three years. Lance Edmond, failure to stop for blue light, one year, suspended to one day, 6 months probation.
  Tammy Turner, burglary 3rd degree 1st offense, one year, suspended to seven days, 6 months probation. Da’-Montavis Antonio Graham, assault and battery 2nd, three days, 18 months probation.
  Breanna Marie Dyer, possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base - 1st offense, 2 years, suspended to 10 days, two years probation. Elysha Dawn Castilow, breach of trust w/fraudulent intent, more than $2000 but less than $10,000, three years, suspended to 21 days, three years probation.
  Tyler Michael Gilliland, unlawful carrying a pistol, two days; resisting arrest, two days. Laprintise Antravious Williams, DUI 1st, three days.
  Harold Cooper Nut-hall., possession of less than one gram of meth or cocaine base - 1st offense, one year, suspended to one day, one year probation. Hunter Jay Tardiff, failure to comply with lawful direction of police, etc., three days.
  Anthony McCloud Abney, use of vehicle without permission, 52 days. Brenner Labraun McGrath, assault & battery 3rd, one day.
  Lauren Hannah Each, unlawful carrying a pistol, two days. James Patrick Padgett, use of 911 unlawfully, one day. Dalton Layen Senn,  assault & battery 3rd, one day.
  Logan Todd Sulton,  assault & battery 2nd, one year, suspended to two days and one year probation. Aaron Horger,  assault & battery 2nd, three years, suspended to time served and one year probation; resisting arrest, one year, suspended to one day.
  Danilo Garedo Rodriguez, possession of cocaine 1st, time served. Julian Torres, domestic violence 2nd, YOA not to exceed three years, suspended to 18 months probation.
  Terrance Delano Gilchrist Jr., accessory after the fact of a felony, 14 days. Denzel Young.  assault & battery 1st, 8 years, after service of nine months,  suspended to five years probation.  

  Quenesha Macole Burley, cruelty to children, time served. Shay Lynn Nichole Lagons, possession with intent to distribute controlled substance, one year, concurrent with current sentence. Rebecca Peposa Kelly, possession with intent to distribute controlled substance, five years, suspended to 265 days, three years probation.
  Seth Allen Johnston, possession with intent to distribute controlled substance, five years, suspended to 265 days, three years probation. Kendrick Cortez Debris Daniel,  unlawful carrying a pistol, 90 days.
  Walter Lee Keith Shans, unlawful carrying a pistol, 18 days. Allison C. Davis, unlawful neglect of an adult, two years, suspended to ten days, 18 months probation.
  Antonio Aqueleo Martinez, failure to comply, two days. Pier Lashun Nixon, possession of crack cocaine, four years, suspended to one day, one year probation. Killijah Her-bert, assault & battery 2nd, 90 days.

Civil Rights Leader
Charlie Sam Daniel Dies

   Saluda County civil rights leader, Charlie Sam Daniel Sr. (center in above photo) died Jan. 22 at the age of 93.
  Daniel was known in Saluda County and throughout the State for his work toward the integration of the public schools in the late 60s and early 70s. His community accomplishments were numerous and included serving as President of the NAACP for over a decade, co-founding a community action group called Concerned Citizens of Saluda County, testifying at U.S. Congressional hearings in Washington, DC for the integration of Saluda County Schools, organizing and leading, for many decades, voter registration and redistricting efforts for fair and effective community representation, serving on the Board of Riverside Community Development Center,
  He operated Daniel’s Barber Shop on Bouknight Ferry Road for over 60 years.
    Daniel was also known as the father of and grandfather of outstanding athletes. The above photo was taken at the Saluda-Southside Christian game in Simpsonville in 2019. Pictured with him, L to R, are his grandson Myles, his son Al, his daughter Kenyatta and his son Mel. Myles, Mel’s son, was an All-State basketball player at Greenville’s Wade Hampton High School. Al was a star basketball player at Saluda High, Anderson College and Furman University and is in the Hall of Fame at all three schools. Kenyatta was an all-state basketball player at Saluda High. Mel led the Saluda boys basketball team to back to back state championships in 1977 and 1978, and is in the Saluda and Furman Halls of Fame.
  They were all there to see Kenyatta’s son Dallan Wright play for the Tigers. Dallan would later in the season catch four touchdown passes in Saluda’s State Championship win over  Barnwell. He is currently a member of the Virginia Tech football team. His brother Zion was a top receiver for this year’s Saluda football squad, and  currently is a star player on the basketball team.
  Funeral services for Daniel were held on Saturday, January 28th  at the Saluda High School Gymnasium (Standard-Sentinel photo)