Council Recognized

COUNTY RECOGNIZED - SC Association of Counties Director of Insurance Services Robert Benfield presented Saluda County with the Property & Liability Lag Time and the Workers' Comp Experience Modifier Awards at eh recent county council meeting. The awards recognize excellence at reducing risk and managing costs. Pictured, L to R, are: County Director Sandra Padgett, Benfield, Risk Management Director Hardee Horne, Chairman Jim Moore, Councilmen Frank Daniel, Jack Atkinson and Carey Bedenbaugh. (Association of Counties photo)

County Recognized For
Insurance Efficiency

Saluda County was recognized  by the S.C. Association of Counties for outstanding efficiency at the Feb. 13 meeting of County Council.
   Association of Counties Director of Insurance Services Robert Benfield presented Saluda County with the Property & Liability Lag Time and the Workers' Comp Experience Modifier Awards.
  Benfield said Saluda County had the second lowest response time in the state for reporting incidents. The County filed reports in less that a day. The County also had the third lowest total of injury claims.
  Benfield praised the work of Risk Management Director Hardee Horne in the earning of the recognition.
  He added Saluda County’s efficiency in reporting and safety had saved the county $90.,000 during the year.
  At the beginning of the meeting, Council Chairman Jim Moore told of meetings and work sessions discussing the proposed Detention Center, EMS and Fire Service building, capital projects, recreation and the County building better working relationships with Saluda, Ridge Spring and Ward..
  Councilman Carey Bedenbaugh asked for prayers for Saluda Nursing Center, which has been hit with another rash of COVID cases.
  A public hearing was held on the ordinance to approve the sale of the buildings at 117 and 119 North Main Street to C.F. Tatham, Jr.
  No one spoke at the hearing, and Council the gave second reading approval of the ordinance.
  First reading was given to an ordinance approving the expenditure of $125,000 from one percent sales tax proceeds to fund the construction of the Edgefield-Saluda County Animal Shelter. The shelter will be located in Edgefield County.
  First reading was also given to an ordinance to approve the policies for the animal control problem in Saluda County, and other matters pertaining to animal control.
  Council adopted a mission statement, and approved updating a memorandum of understanding with Edgefield County for animal control.
  An agreement with the Town of Saluda regarding the YMCA was approved. The county will pay 30 percent of the salary and provide office space.
  Councilman Jack Atkinson voted for the measure, but said the YMCA often gets more that it gives, and he is going to watch the situation closely.
  Council voted to take bids on the Courthouse roof repair, and relocating the Coroner’s holding facility, which is located in the footprint of where the Detention Center is going.
  Applying for a JAG grant, which will require a ten percent match,  for the Sheriff’s Office was approved. Grants Coordinator Jill Warren said, if approved, the funds will be used to buy new tasers. The current tasers are outdated and can not be upgraded.
  Creating  a job description for an animal/litter control officer was approved. The officer will be a deputy and will work Monday-Friday.
  Ridge Spring Mayor Quendolyn Etheredge was appointed to the Upper Savannah Work Force Board.
  Austin Rodgers was appointed to the Fire  Board, filling the unexpired term of Bryan Derrick. Russell Derrick was appointed the alternate.

SAMANTHA NICHOLS

Saluda Woman To Compete For
National Watermelon Queen

  Samantha Lee Nichols will be competing at the National Watermelon Association Convention in Asheville NC on February 25th for the National Watermelon Queen title representing South Carolina.
  Samantha is the daughter of Christy Corley Nichols and James R. Nichols. She’s a 2017 graduate of Saluda High School, a 2020 graduate of Clemson University, and a current graduate student studying Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University.   Samantha is currently employed with South Carolina Farm Bureau in Government Relations. She has spent the past year traveling all over South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Mississippi and Washington DC promoting the watermelon industry as the South Carolina Watermelon Association public relations ambassador.

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.