Three Charged
SLED Charges Three
Saluda County People After
Death Of Vulnerable Adult
Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested three people on Mon., Oct. 3, following the death of a vulnerable adult.
Arrested were:
• Kelle Nicole Bedenbaugh, 40 - Fraudulently Obtained Money, Goods & Services more than $1,000; Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult; Abuse or Neglect Resulting in Death
• Brett Allen Burkett, 27 - Abuse or Neglect Resulting in Death
• Pam Fulmer Burkett, 62 - Abuse or Neglect Resulting in Death
According to the warrant, on July 10, the victim was reported deceased. The defendants, Kelle Nicole Bedenbaugh, Brett Allen Burkett, and Pam Fulmer Burkett, were living in the residence with the victim and they were the victim’s primary caregivers. The victim was elderly and was not physically or mentally capable of caring for herself. The pathologist ruled the victim’s cause of death as complications of chronic neglect and classified the death as homicide.
These allegations were corroborated through interviews and information provided to SLED.
Along with Abuse or Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult, charges against Bedenbaugh include:
Fraudulently Obtaining Money, Goods and Services more than $1000: The warrant alleges Bedenbaugh used the bank account of the victim to personally gain moneys and convert them for her own personal gain or use in excess of $10,000.
Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult: The warrant alleges between January 2022 and July 2022, Bedenbaugh knowingly and willfully financially exploited the victim by using the victims bank account for her own personal gain.
SLED was requested to investigate by the Saluda Police Department.
The three subjects were booked at the Saluda County Detention Center.
The case will be prosecuted by the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Arrest Made In Ridge
Spring Shooting Case
On Sunday, October 2nd, the Ridge Spring Police Department and the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office responded to call in reference to a shooting incident involving two individuals at The Ridge Spring Convenience Store in the Town of Ridge Spring.
Upon law enforcement’s arrival on scene, it was determined that both shooting subjects had fled the scene. One subject was later was dropped off at EMS headquarters where he was transported by EMS to a nearby hospital and is still undergoing medical treatment as of today.
Through the course of this investigation, its has been determined that two subjects, to include the person who suffered a gunshot wound, traded gun fire with each other following a verbal altercation outside the convenience store. Multiple shell casing were processed at the scene by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s Crime Scene agents.
At this time, Jimmie Maruice Merritt has been taken into custody and is charged with Attempted Murder and Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime. Jimmie Merritt is currently incarcerated at the Saluda County Detention Center. This investigation is still ongoing.
Rainfall Improves
Rainfall in September was up over an inch from the previous month.
The September rainfall totaled 4.86 inches, bringing the year’s total to 34.26. This compares to 42.09 inches that fell during the same time last year.
September’s temperatures were warm with most days with highs in the 80s and 90s The temperatures ranged from a high of 68 on Sept. 30 to 94 on Sept. 1. The lowest morning temperature, 47, was recorded on Sept. 24 and 25.
This information was reported by NWS observer Edwin Riley at the Saluda CPW.
2022 Hall of Fame
2022 District Hall of
Fame Class Announced
Saluda County Schools 2022 Hall of Fame class will be inducted at halftime of the Saluda-Strom Thurmond game Fri., Oct. 7.
Inducted will be Trevor Deloach, the S.C. high school basketball player of the year in 2007; Byron Hilley, state championship band director; Phyllis Morris Newman, all-state softball player in the early 1980s; and George Padgett, all-state football player for Bettis Herlong in the late 1950s.
Upper Savannah Regional Job Fair
Planned for Oct. 6 in Greenwood
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) and SC Works/Upper Savannah are hosting a Job Fair on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Medford Family Event Center in Greenwood. Dozens of employers from Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, and Saluda counties are expected.
“We are very excited to have two of the newest employers to the region joining us next Thursday — E.A. Sween, which is set to open a facility in Greenwood County in 2023, and Europastry, which is expected to begin operations later this year in Laurens County,” said Erin Nodine, deputy workforce development director with the Upper Savannah Council of Governments. “Combined, those organizations are set to bring almost 500 new jobs to the area.”
Other companies that will be actively recruiting at the Job Fair include PTC, 2nd Wind HVAC, 3D Solutions, Abbeville Area Medical Center, Eaton, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Whitten Center, Greenwood County, Lonza, Komatsu, Palmetto Gourmet Foods, Laurens 55 School District, Newberry County, Self Regional Healthcare, ZF Transmissions, Martha Franks Community Retirement, Lander University, Impresa Building Systems, and more.
Attendees are encouraged to bring plenty of resumes and to dress as if they were going to an actual job interview because they will be meeting employers face-to-face.
For further details, visit www.ptc.edu/jobfair.
Traffic Stop Arrest
Traffic Stop leads to Drug Arrests
Bradford Adam Long and Natasha Renee Smith have been arrested for Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime.
These arrests occurred after a traffic stop.
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is committed to rid our community from dangerous drugs and those who distribute these drugs on our streets.
School Board Summary
The Saluda County School District Board of Trustees met at Saluda Elementary School Media Center on Sept. 19. The Board had a 6:00 p.m. work session to discuss building projects, transportation update, School Nutrition Update, and the Foundation.
The Board then went into Executive Session to discuss legal matters, a Contractual matter, and the Super-intendent’s evaluation. The regular Board meeting started at 7:00 p.m.
Dr. Kathy Coleman called the meeting to order. Mr. James Holloway gave the invocation. The agenda was approved. The minutes from August 15, 2022 were approved. Dr. Kathy Coleman, Chairperson; Dr. Arlene S. Puryear, Vice Chairperson; Ms. Christy Corley Nichols, Secretary; Ms. Sharon Williams Holloway, Mr. Jeffery Jordan, Mr. James Holloway and Dr. Harvey H. Livingston III, Superintendent were all in attendance.
Student Recognition
The School Board, along with Mr. Seay, SMS Principal and Ms. Meeler, SMS Beta Club Coordinator, recognized Pablo Gomez for receiving 6th Place in the nation for 8th Grade Science at the 2022 National Beta Club Convention.
The School Board also recognized the Saluda All-Stars Softball World Series Champions: Ensley Patterson, Ava Forrest, Kamryn Campbell, Blyth Buzhardt, Kylee McGlohorn, Emma Enlow, Ava Frye, Nyla Jordan, Reese Shaw, Karen Almaraz, Aubrey Marnati, Adalynn Holsomback, Ashlynn Vereen, Miller Martin. Coaches: Jeffery Jordan, Daniel Patterson, Lee Wertz for the outstanding job they have done representing Saluda County.
SCSBA – Certification of Delegates
Sharon Holloway was elected as the Delegate and Christy Nichols as the Alternate for the SCSBA Delegate Assembly.
SCSBA Policies – 1st Reading. The Board approved the 1st Reading of the following policies:
New SCSBA Policy: IMDA Patriotic Exercises
Revision to SCSBA policy IMDB Flag Displays
Revision to SCSBA policy IHAC Social Studies Education
Revision to SCSBA policy JLCE First Aid and Emergency Care
Budget Update
Ms. Sharon Setzer informed the Board the three investment accounts through the State Treasurer’s Office are performing well based on the interest we received last year. For our budget, we have received around 9% of our state, federal, and local revenue as of the end of August. This is normal for this time of year. Currently, we are seeing a shortfall in EIA Funding, and health care costs went up 1.5% more than what we expected.
District Update
Dr. Livingston thanked our students and staff for a great first 5 weeks of school. We have hit the ground running.
The auditors completed their 2 weeks of in-house review and they will present their findings at our January meeting.
We will have 4 members of our local delegation at our October board meeting. Senators Shane Massey and Billy Garrett and Representatives Bill Clyburn and Cal Forrest have all accepted our invitation to share their thoughts on the upcoming legislative session.
We will also recognize several students during our October board meeting for a perfect score on SC READY or SC PASS.
Please remember to come out this Friday night as we are expecting a great crowd at the home game against Gilbert.
Approval of any item(s) from Executive Session
Based on Dr. Livingston’s exemplary evaluation for the 2021-22 school year, as well as his demonstrated efforts that went above and beyond expectations, the Board voted to provide him the $4,000 increase given all other certified district employees by the state, as well as a 3% increase similar to a STEP increase given to all certified employees. The Board increased his in-district car allowance by $2,000 and extended his contract through June 2025.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05 p.m.
September 2022 Meeting
Council Take Steps
Toward Animal Shelter
Saluda County moved closer to getting an animal shelter by action taken at the Sept. 12 County Council meeting.
Council voted to issue a request for proposal for construction of an animal shelter.
Sheriff Josh Price presented a building plan, using Aiken County’s shelter as an example. The building would be built on a concrete slab, and have spaces for an office, medical area and cages.
In another building related issue, Council awarded the $195,650 bid for construction of the Old Town fire station to Price Enterprises. Of the total, $75,000 will come from ARPA funds, and the rest, including site preparation, will come from the Fire Department Building Fund.
In the public presentations, Sharon Metts expressed concern about the name change for Old Charleston Road.
Mrs. Metts said when she received word about the name change for sections of Old Charleston Road, because portions of the road don’t connect, she suggest Plum Branch Road, because the old Plum Branch School was on her family property. When she went around to neighbors with the name suggestion, she found none of them wanted to change.
She said Old Charleston Road is a historical site and it shouldn’t be changed. She said the reason given for the name change for three sections of the road is it will make things easier for emergency workers to find locations.
She said she has talked to EMS workers and law enforcement officers and none of them have said they have problems finding homes on Old Charleston Road.
Mrs. Metts suggest Council hold a meeting with all residents of Old Charleston Road and explain to them why a name change is necessary.
Old Charleston Road has been around since before the Revolutionary War, which was a good lead in to the first item on the new business, a resolution in support of the 250th anniversary observance of the War for Independence. In passing the resolution, the county promises to promote tourism and historical activities during the observance in 2026.
Council approved the tax millage for the County and School District One.
The county’s millage totals 160.4 which includes the 146 mills for the budget, plus millage for bonds, and millage for law enforcement, Piedmont Tech, economic development, etc.
The school total millage includes 188.4, which includes 154.9 for budget and 33.5 for bonds.
Council approved applying for a $5000 equipment grant from the U.S. Deputy Sheriff’s Association. The grant requires no match.
Chairman Jim Moore’s appointment of Robert N. Coleman to the Building and Mobile Home Appeals Board was approved.
Southeast Gravel
Schedules Saluda Race
Southeast Gravel, an organization that sponsors bicycle races on gravel roads, has scheduled an event in Saluda on Sat., Sept. 24.
There will be three race distances, 20, 50 and 100 miles. The long course will start at 9 a.m, the short course at 9:10, and the 20-mile fun course at 9:15.
According to the Southeast Gravel webpage:
“We scoped out some of the amazing roads in the Saluda, SC area and they were too awesome not to have an event here. Featuring a downtown Saluda start and finish, you will ride on some of the most fun gravel roads we have found.
You’ve been training all year and it’s time to push yourself. We have a 100 and 50 mile option on tap. Don’t let the lack of elevation fool you, there are some very difficult stretches of gravel mixed in here.
Saluda is a small town in South Carolina, and it’s very easy to get from the middle of town to some great low traffic gravel roads. Finish your long gravel ride in town and bring spectators with you to celebrate your finish in a party atmosphere.”
The race will begin and end at Saluda Elementary School.
Edgefield County African
American Heritage Commission
In June, Dean Campbell, Chairman of the Edgefield County Council, expressed interest in forming an African American Heritage Commission in Edgefield. There have been three meetings of this group with good participation.
On Tuesday, August 30th, the group voted unanimously to adopt the name Edgefield County African American Heritage Commission. Edgefield will be the first county in South Carolina to have such a commission. However, there is a state African American Heritage Commission in Columbia.
Anyone interested in joining this group is welcomed. Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 5:30 p. m. in the Edgefield County Council Chambers. All are welcomed!!