EMS Recogonized
Saluda County EMS Recognized
By American Heart Association
Saluda,SC June 5, 2017 — Saluda County EMS has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Silver Award for implementing quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who experience severe heart attacks.
A significant number of patients who suffer “heart attacks” don’t receive this prompt appropriate therapy, which is critical in restoring blood flow to damaged heart muscle. Mission: Lifeline seeks to save lives by closing the gaps that separate these patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Mission: Lifeline’s EMS recognition program recognizes emergency medical services for their efforts in improving systems of care and improving the quality of life for these patients.
Saluda County EMS began the arduous task of implementing new national recommendations for regimens of care in May of last year. After many improvements and implementing changes in times and treatments, with the help and guidance of Saluda County EMS Medical Control Physician Dr. Bruce Cook , data was gathered after the changes, and sent in to the American Heart Association on Saluda County EMS improvements and efforts. As a result the AHA recognized Saluda County EMS with this award.
Saluda County EMS Assistant Director James Cole said “our crews have been working hard on implementing these changes and done an excellent job. Because of their efforts we have received this award.”
he changes implemented by EMS will dramatically improve the quality of life for those that do sustain damage to heart muscle during such an event and will benefit the citizens of Saluda County.
Council Passes School Budget
Saluda County Council gave third and final reading to the Saluda County School District’s budget Mon., June 12.
The county’s portion of the budget is $6,645,557.00, minus revenues and credits reflected on the tax receipt from Fee-In-Lieu, Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier, for a net amount of $4,312,446.00 from Ad Valorem Taxes.
The local portion was $4,113,933 at the first reading. The Increase is due to: mandated teacher raises, the hiring of three new teachers to accommodate class sizes with extra enrollment, and state mandated retirement, and health insurance increases.
SALUDA THEATER AMONG RECIPIENTS
$650K Awarded To Tourism
Projects In South Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA - The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC) grant program recently awarded a total of $650 thousand dollars to various tourism projects across the state. The federal grant funds projects specifically for tourism planning, development, revitalization, and conservation.
According to Carter C. Hudgins, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, the grant will help improve the overall visitor experience.
“Assistance from the SC National Heritage Corridor will play a significant role in transforming one of our nation’s most historic sites through the construction of new visitor facilities,” Hudgins noted. “As the most authentic survivor from South Carolina’s colonial past, Drayton Hall plays an invaluable role educating the public about the earliest chapters of our state, and a new visitor center will allow visitors to interact with Drayton Hall’s past in new and innovative ways.”
The complete 2017 grant recipient list includes the Railroad History Park in Greenwood, Horn’s Creek Church in Edgefield, the Rosenwald School in St. George, Murray Avenue in Anderson, Aiken State Park, Colonial Dorchester State Park in Summerville, The Museum of the Cherokee in Walhalla, Drayton Hall in Charleston, The Saluda Theatre, Ashley River Road in Dorchester County, McLeod Plantation in Charleston, and the Courthouse Pavilion in Saint George.
Many of the awarded projects aim to increase economic development and quality of life for its citizens as wells as improve tourism, including the Murray Avenue Bridge Project which will include an educational and recreational amenity below the Murray Avenue Bridge in downtown Anderson.
“The Murray Avenue Bridge Project is a stimulant to the ongoing vibrancy of downtown. The SCNHC grant provides a boost to another part of our economic ecosystem and strengthens our position. This puzzle piece that connects Main Street can showcase our City’s walkability, arts and culture, and serve as a continuing magnet for economic growth,” said Mayor Terence Roberts.
The South Carolina National Heritage Corridor is one of the largest National Heritage Areas in the country and has awarded over 15 million dollars to tourism projects in South Carolina since the program’s inception in 1996. For more information on the SCNHC visit www.scnhc.org.
Court Cases
Court Clears Fifty Cases
A two week term of Saluda County General Sessions Court that concluded cleared 50 cases, one of the largest totals in several years.
There were no jury trials.
Following are the sentences on guilty pleas.
Calvin Abney possession of marijuana over one ounce, time served. Denise Elizabeth Avery, possession of meth 1st, 18 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation.
Davey Keith Bedenbaugh, assault and battery 2nd, 18 months, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Ashley Nicole Blackman, financial transaction card fraud less than $500 within six months, Youth Offender Act (YOA) not to exceed one years, suspended to six months probation.
Curtis Videl Blocker Jr., escape, one year, consecutive with current sentence. Christian Renay Boulware, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, two years, suspended to probation.
Thomas Boyd Jr., assault and battery 2nd, time served. Kelvin Lamont Brown, failure to stop for pursing law enforcement vehicle, 30 months, suspended to 60 days and 30 months probation.
Treyon Hykeem Butler, failure to stop for pursing law enforcement vehicle, 30 days. Cameron Wilson Chavis, burglary 2nd violent, YOA not to exceed three years.
Robert Jason Conyers, burglary 3rd, four years, suspended to time served, 36 months probation. Sammie Raye Corey, unlawful carrying of a handgun, time served.
Angela Lee Creech, unlawful neglect of a child, 18 months, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Leobardo Mateo Cristobal, resisting arrest, no assault, 1 year, suspended to time served 106 days.
Treylor Wayne Cunningham, possession of Schedule IV drug, six months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation. Gustavo Rodriquez Dial, domestic violence first degree, 24 months.
Stephen Vincent Donlick, possession of Schedule IV drug, six months, suspended to time served, six months probation. Woodrow Wilson Dorn, possession of meth 1st, six months.
Antonous M. Farrow, possession of cocaine 1st, 12 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation. Albert Giammatei Jr., assault and battery fist degree, five years. Terry Mark Gibert, possession of meth 1st, time served.
John Carlyle Goff, ill treatment of animals, time served, 48 months probation. Jeree Crotez Johnson, domestic violence 2nd, one years, suspended to 18 months probation.
Tyqona Malik Jones, possession of a stolen vehicle $2000-$10,000, YOA not to exceed two years, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Ahmand Tobaysa Kinard, distribution of crack within proximity of a school, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 0 months probation; distribution of crack, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 30 months probation; possession with intent to distribute crack, 10 years, upon service of five years, suspended to 30 months probation.
Jamarcus Lambert Lindler, arson 3rd, YOA not to exceed five years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Vernon Wylie Mahaffey Jr., assault and battery 2nd, three years, suspended to five years probation.
Xavier Devon Matheney, burglary 3rd, non-violent, ten years, suspended to time served, 48 months probation. John Cauthern Matthews, grand larceny $2000-$10,000. five years, suspended to 30 days and 36 months probation.
Johnathan Mason McDaniel, distribution of marijuana, YOA not to exceed five years, shock YOA. Christopher Brandon Meetze, possession of schedule II drug, six months, suspended to 18 months probation.
Karl Anthony Morgan, swindling, three months, suspended to time served. Dominque Israel Morris, possession with intent to distribute marijuana 2nd, 18 months, suspended to 90 days, 30 months probation.
Calvin Undray Ouzts, indecent exposure, one year, suspended to 24 month probation. Shanna Anntwanet Padgett, possession of schedule IV drug, six months suspended to 18 months probation.
Justin Lee Powell, burglary 3rd, one year, suspended to two years probation. Cruise Antoinio Rauch, financial transaction card fraud, one year.
Danielle Jordan Reynolds, breaking into a motor vehicle, YOA not to exceed three years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation. Melanie Gayle Risinger, possession of Schedule IV drug, time served.
Jessica Nichole Scott, possession of meth, 12 months. Matthew Samuel Smith, YOA not to exceed one years, suspended to one year probation.
Shaquille Revon Turner, unlawful carrying of a pistol, 12 months, suspended to time served, 24 months probation. Vera Karen Wertz, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, two years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation.
Michelle West, DUI 1st, 30 days. Joseph Allen Lee Whitten, assault & battery 2nd, 18 months, suspended to time served, 18 months probation.
Jonah Izaiah Williams, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, 10 years. Larry Terrell Yarbrough, assault and battery 2nd, 18 months.
39th Young Farmer Truck and
Tractor Pull This Weekend
Come out this weekend, June 9th and 10‘“, and enjoy the 39th annual Saluda Young Farmer Truck and Tractor pull.
This year in conjunction with Carolina Pullers,eight classes will be presented, instead of four. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 7.
For more information, visit the website at Saludayoungfarmer.org.
Each year the young farmers awards scholarships to students that wish to pursue higher education in agriculture or an ag-related field. Over the years, the Saluda Young Farmers organization has provided 83 scholarships and have helped many other organizations in the community such as Saluda County Recreation program.
Come out to ”the hottest pull in the south” and show your support for a great cause.
2017 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship Recipients
The Saluda Young Farmers are pleased to award seven scholarships for 2017.
These students, along with their parents, will be recognized on Friday night, June 9th at the 39th Annual Truck and Tractor Pull. This year’s recipients are: Ashley Owens (Clemson University), TJ Price (Florence-Darlington Tech), Megan Corley (Clemson University), Samaria Reed (Piedmont Tech), Alyssa Easler (Emmanuel College), Texanna Miller (Winthrop University).
Tornado touchdown
Tornado Touchdown
Confirmed In County
For the second time this year, a tornado touchdown in Saluda County has been confirmed.
According to Emergency Management Director Josh Morton, the National Weather Service has confirmed an EF-1 tornado touched down in Saluda County on Wednesday, May 24, in the western part of the county around Fruit Hill, Old Charleston, and Old Chappells Ferry roads.
On Wed., April 5, an EF-2 tornado touched down in the Ridge area of the county.
The damage for the May tornado was not as extensive as last month’s twister, although the storm Wednesday produced heavy rains that led to flooding in some areas.
Morton said another tornado in the northern part of the county around Old Cherokee and Denny Hwy. had not been confirmed, as of Fri., May 26. Morton said that storm may have been the start of the tornado that struck the Stoney Hill area and other spots near Prosperity in Newberry County.
“After the severe weather systems that came through our county Wed., May 24, around the 2:30 time frame, we had several trees down, with one that fell on a residence,” Chief Deputy Chris Cockrell with the Sheriff’s Office said.. “The homeowners were fine and we had no injuries to Saluda County citizens.”
Flooded roads included: 1200 block of Pencreek Rd.; Dirt portion of Medical Park Rd.; Ivory Key Rd.; Canebrake Rd. at Industrial Park Rd.
Trees down on roads: 500 block. Denny Hwy.; Long Rd./Denny Hwy.; 100 block. Henley Rd. (Power line down); 300 block. Barr Woods Rd.; 500 block. Johnston Hwy. (tree on residence).
Saluda High School Saluda, SC Class of 2017
Da’Quavieus Ru’Shaud Abney; JaVonte’ Daquan Abney ; Tyrell Jarmal Abney ; Joshua Clifton Adams ; Christopher Tyler Addy ; Lizbeth Alvarez-Rodriguez ; Dion Jaquesz-Cardin Avant, Jr.; Ty Walker Bell ; Ashton Lynn Berry ; Kaylee Ann Black; Zachary James Blackmon; Quentavious Dashawn Bonham ; Jessica Bonilla; Kevin Bonilla; Titus Tikem Isiah Bosket; Evelyn Grace Bowers ; Curtis Cornelius Brenson; Timothy Nolan Broderick; Rashun Malik Brooks; Darionte’ Kah’Lem Ja’Quan Brown; Jakobe Dashawn Bunch; Samiya Deondra Butler; Garrett Owens Clary; Megan Alana Corley ; Peter Mark Corley; Jasmine Seymone Cromer; China Bernika Lucille Daniels; Maricarmen Dominguez-Flores; Emily Rose Dumont; Windel Kyle Duncan; Alyssa Deann Easler; William Newman Easler ; Amber Nicole Edwards; Robin Darr Epting, III; Gregory Bernard Etheredge, Jr.; Rosadelia Flores; Lonnie Jacob Fulmer ; Selina Latoya Gilliam; Carley Rebecca Gilliland Rosalinda Gil-Salgado; Morgan MacKenzie Goldman; Knocalon Dan’uwa Graham; Xavier Ky’re Graham; Jonathan Patrick Griffith, Jr;. Charles Edward Hall; Brian Ashton Hallman; Keith Warron Hammond, Jr;. Andrew Dillon Harrison; Tamia Lovel-Moiyah Haymond; Courtney Danielle Herron; Tijauna Shaundrea Hill; Avery Leann Holsenback; Dylan Alexander Hootman; Leason Griffith Horne Kennedy Noel Hudson; James Austin Leopard; Whitley Noel Long; Jennifer Lopez-Luna; Jadon Wesley Lott; Michael Xavier Lybrand; Michael D’Andre Mason; Kiara Charbre’ Matthews; Maghan Randyll Matthews; Brandon Cole McCormick; Ashley Nicole Miller; Kincaid Bobby Mitchell, Jr.; Bradrick Lynn Mize, Jr.; Chelsey Markita Mobley; Amber Nicole Moore; DynSaudra Ikevia Moore; Jesus Filiberto Naranjo-Vargas; Samantha Lee Nichols; Wynton Alexander Ouzts; Andrew Michael Owens; Datasia Breon Tikeia Padgett; Joseph Marshall Pou; Madison Rose Price ; Thomas James Price; Kura Malik Priest; Samaria Jazmine Reed; Brandon Lane Reynolds; MacKenzie Caroline Riley; Anakaren Robles; Anna Joyce Rodgers; Matthew Cade Rodgers; Ny’kel Rashaad Rolland; Ana Salazar-Juan Connor George Sample; Josue’ Sanchez-Munoz; Jesus Sandoval-Rodriguez; Cameron Mark Schumpert; Cameron James Searles Macie Victoria Sease; Charles Richard Shuler, III; Nichole Autumn Smith; Destany Tashae’ Stephens; Ashley Rose Strawbridge; Dylan Tyler Strickland; JaCendria LaStasya Thomas; Derrick Lane Thompson; Julian Torres; Brandon Ivan Vasquez; Reginald Vaughn Wallace, III; Mikiyah Natai Washington; Samuel Slayter Waters; Meredith Leigh Wertz; Chloe Nijeia Amire Williams; Segovia Celeste Junell Williams; Samuel Jacob Woods.
W. Wyman King Academy Class of 2017
King Academy graduation was held May 26, 2017, in the WKA gym. Coach Jolly Dollittle delivered the commencement address. The Baccalaureate Service was held May 21, 2017. Coach Keith Gibson delivered the message. Pictured top to bottom are Lane Bedenbaugh, *Nathaniel Easler, *Hunter DuBose, Hunter Black, *Ben Buzhardt (Salutatorian), *Chris Fincher, *Austin Nottingham, *Karson Powell (Valedictorian), Morgan Bartley, *Allison DeLoache, *Morgan Price, *Jade Temples, *Nicki Boone, *Leah Matthews, *Texanna Miller (Class Speaker), and *Madison Swain. (* Indicates Honor Graduates)
Greenwood Hwy. Fatality
Ninety Six Woman
Dies in Accident
A Ninety Six woman became Saluda County’s third highway fatality on the Greenwood Hwy. (U.S. 178 West) in the last three weeks, when she died in a single vehicle accident Thurs., May 18.
At approximately 8:25 a.m. the accident occurred at 1984 Greenwood Highway. A 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Jacqualine Amanda McCarthy, 22, of Ninety Six, was west bound toward Saluda when it left the road for an unknown reason and struck a tree.
Miss McCarthy was wearing a seat belt, but was heavily entrapped in the vehicle and had to be extricated. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Chief Deputy Coroner Randy Simmons. There was an autopsy scheduled for Friday, May 19. The accident remains under investigation by the Saluda County Coroner’s Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Simmons and Investigator Beverly Simmons would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Mayson Fire Department, Saluda County EMS and the South Carolina Highway Patrol for all the assistance and help on the scene.
On April 30, Evan Blair Campbell, 18, of Greenwood, and Lexie Rodgers, 66, of Ninety Six died in a head-on collision near Fruit Hill Road. Campbell was a high school senior about to graduate, Mrs. Rodgers was a former employee at Saluda Nursing Center, and Ms. McCarthy was to begin work Mon., May 22, as a pharmacy tech at the Saluda CVS.
National EMS Week, May 22-27
EMS week for the nation is set for May 22- May 27.
We would like to thank all of the EMS Personnel who have worked extraordinarily hard to ensure the success of the County EMS Service. Due to their diligent efforts, Saluda County EMS is ranked number one over all other Emergency Medical Services in the state by the EMS Association of South Carolina over the last year due to efforts of the EMS Team.
To say this was a very complex undertaking is an understatement. Efforts have been made, not only to improve the overall care and treatment of the citizens they serve, but to develop a community involvement program that improves the health and well-being of Saluda County citizens.
EMS Director Jacob Starnes would like to thank all of the Saluda County EMS Staff, Saluda County Council, citizens, other public safety services, including fire and law enforcement, for their unwavering support. Director Starnes wants to assure that Saluda County EMS will continue to strive for excellence in emergency health care. Please, take a moment to thank the EMS staff for their service.
Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is
Friday and Saturday, June 2-3
Believe it or not the Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale is only days away.
Nine years ago all the small towns along Highway 23: Batesburg, Leesville, Monetta, Ridge Spring, Ward, Johnston, Edgefield, and Modoc got together to create a 44 mile yard sale that takes place in each of the towns and some areas along the way on the first Friday and Saturday in June.
The yard sale has grown each year and brings lots of folks from everywhere. If you can think of an item, my bet is that it can be found somewhere along the route. We have vendors from as far away as Florida and New York and as close as down the street. The Farmer’s Market kicks off on the same weekend, and the first of the peaches have come in, so we know there will be peaches along the way.
Make your plans for Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, and join us in any of the towns along the Highway 23, or maybe, like some, start at the beginning and travel the 44 miles to its end. Join us in our annual fun event and “Rummage the Ridge”. For information, call 803-685-7810.