July Court Cases
NEW COURTHOUSE SECURITY SYSTEM - The Saluda County Courthouse has a new security system at the main and only entrance and it is used daily, not just at court. The scanning machine is similar to those found in airports and federal buildings. Deputy Sheriff Ted Maclaughlin operates the equipment. The security system is funded through a one-year COVID grant. Men are warned in advance to leave your pocketknives in your vehicle. (Standard-Sentinel photo)
Thirty-Four Sentenced
During Court Term
The latest term of Saluda County General Sessions Court concluded last week.
One trial was scheduled, but the defendant decided to plead guilty.
The following sentences were handed out on guilty pleas:
Jarred Terrell Coleman, assault and battery 2nd degree, three years, suspended to time served and 18 months probation. Elijah Michael Phillips, domestic violence third degree, 16 days,
Davon Jeremiah Taylor, assault and battery 2nd degree, Youthful Offender Act (YOA) not to exceed three years, suspended to 30 months probation. Kwame Nkrumah Holloway, possession of a weapon by a person convicted of a violent felony, three years, suspended to time serves and three years probation; possession of less than one ounce of meth or cocaine base, 1st offense, three years, suspended to time serves and three years probation.
Dalton Wayne Senn, assault and battery 3rd degree, time served. Lewis Benjamin Barnes Jr., unlawful carrying of a pistol, time served.
Mayer Lee Burgess, domestic violence second degree, three years, suspended to time served and 18 months probation. Joseph Izell Mosley, petit or simple larceny $2000 or less, time served.
Dontavis Lamond Smith, unlawful carrying of a pistol, time served. Tabitha Lynn Lykins, felony DUI with bodily injury results, 45 days.
Shyheim Tyron Rauch, DUS 3rd or subsequent offense, time served. Amber Calvert Winkler, possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Amber Nicole Trent, neglect of vulnerable adult, five years, suspended to time served, three years probation. Jessie Franklin Brazell, burglary 2nd degree, non-violent, five years.
DeAnta Dehsawn Robinson, public disorderly conduct, time served. Jeremiah Christopher Blocker, possession of crack cocaine, one year, suspended to time served, six months probation.
Tyrone Ouzts, assault and battery 2nd degree, 18 months, suspended to time served and six months probation. Emmanuel Raewkwan Gordon, assault and battery 2nd degree, time served.
Bailey Elizabeth Gibson, possession of less than one ounce of meth or cocaine base, 1st offense, time served. Randy J. Rice, breach of peace, aggravated nature, five years, suspended to time served, 30 months probation.
Henry Garcia Gonzalez, assault and battery 2nd degree, YOA not to exceed three years, suspended to two years probation Abel Perez-Sales, assault and battery 2nd degree, YOA not to exceed three years, suspended to 18 months probation.
Franke Lane Medlin, possession of less than one ounce of meth or cocaine base, 1st offense, 57 days time served. Kristin Fields Coleman, burglary 3rd degree, five years, suspended to one year probation.
Alicia Rae Rorke, possession of other controlled substance, time served. Terrance Delano Gilchrist Jr., possession of other controlled substance, time served.
Shanna Anntwanett Padgett, possession with intent to distribute meth, four years. Byron Jaquez Stewart, possession of other controlled substance, $100.
Cody James Whittle, breach of trust, obtaining property under false token, more than $2000, less than $10,000, five years, suspended to time served and five years probation.
Nyasia Keirra Culbreath, assault and battery 2nd degree, time served. Quinshawn Shematt Jeffery, possession of less than one ounce of meth or cocaine base, 1st offense, YOA not to exceed three years, suspended to time served, and 18 months probation.
William Antonio Johnson, assault and battery 3rd degree, time served. Stephen Lee Burgess, manufacture, distribution of cocaine and meth, 1st offense, eight years, suspended to time served, three year probation.
Christopher Brandon Meetze, possession of other controlled substance, time served and $100.
GARY EUGENE LOTT
Arrest made in
sexual assault
Gary Eugene Lott has been arrested and charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor 2nd Degree.
Additionally, Lott is a sex offender and has been charged with crimes relating to violating the Sex Offender Registry and not reporting information accurately to the Sheriff as he is required to do by law.
42nd Tractor Pull
42nd Annual Truck
and Tractor Pull
The Saluda Young Farmers 42nd Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 31st at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.
The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers / Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 7pm. Ticket gates and pit will open at 5pm.
Ticket prices are as follows: Adults - $20, Children 6 to 12 - $10, 5 and under – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers). Cash, credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate. Concessions will also be available.
The 2021 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well. Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program. The Young Farmers have also donated to the Saluda Recreation 10u Angels State Champion softball team and the Minor League All-Stars to go toward their trips to their respective World Series.
Bring a chair – stand seating is limited. There will be no charge for parking and no additional charges for entering the pit.
To purchase trackside parking, contact Scott Wertz at (803) 924-3124 after 5:00 PM. All trackside parking spots are $50.00 for the night.
Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
Check out www.SaludaYoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at “Saluda SC Tractor Pull.”
SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPS
MINOR LEAGUE STATE RUNNERS-UP
Young Farmers Contribute
To World Series Teams
The Saluda Young Farmers organization has made financial contributions to the Recreation Department’s two World Series teams, the softball 10u state champions and the Minor League 10u state runners-up.
Saluda Young Farmers organization is so proud of the Saluda County Recreation Department’s young girls’ and boys’ accomplishments this year.
We are happy to be able to help them a little on their journey to compete at the next level. We thank them for their dedication and perseverance they have shown this season.
Parents, you have worked hard getting these kids to the games and practices and being there to cheer them on. Coaches, thank you for the many hours and personal time from your own family you have given to these youngsters who are the future of our little hometown.
Sports teaches young people so many things: discipline, dedication, loyalty, teamwork, meeting and overcoming challenges to name a few. These are valuable lessons will serve them well in the coming years. And we hope they will continue their love for the game into high school and beyond! Congratulations and best of luck to the teams who have competed and will be competing in the weeks to come! You have made us all immensely proud.
We hope everyone will come out on July 31St at 7 pm to support the 42"d annual Saluda Young Farmer Truck and Tractor pull so that we can continue to give back to Saluda thru agriculture scholarships and helping organizations like the Recreation Department that can assist in developing our young ladies and gentlemen into thriving adults that can accomplish so much.
STATE RUNNERS-UP
Saluda Recreation’s Coach Pitch All-Stars finished second in the state tournament, losing in the championship series to host Clemson Daniel on Wed., July 21.
Softball State Champs
STATE CHAMPS - Bottom (left): Blythe Buzhardt, Reese Shaw, Emma Enlow Aubrey Marnati, Kylee McGlohorn, Ava Forrest, Ava Frye; Top (left): Miller Martin, Allie Mitchell, Kam Campbell, Nyla Jordan, Ensley Patterson, Mattie Nichols, Karen Almaraz, Adalynn Holsomback Coaches(left): Daniel Patterson, Jeffrey Jordan, Nancy Jordan. (Photo courtesy of Misty Holsomback)
STATE CHAMPS
For the third time in two years, Saluda County has produced a state champion.
The Saluda County Recreation Department 10u Angels softball team won the state championship in Johnsonville Wed., July 14, and earned the right to represent the state in the World Series.
Fortunately, for local fans, this year’s World Series will be played in Moncks Corner, SC.
Saluda was one of eight district teams to meet in the state tournament. The other teams were Hanahan, Lewsiville, Bamberg, Coward, Chester and Johnsonville.
Saluda’s pitchers combined to shut-out all the opponents, featuring two no hitters. The team had two tough wins over Iva en route to the title, including an extra inning win.
Coach Jeffrey Jordan issued the following statement on Facebook:
“My words will not do justice to what our team has accomplished and the experience we have gone through in the last 3 weeks.
I want to thank all the people that have called, text, emailed and come out to support our young ladies. The Rec baseball coaches have been phenomenal and are a testament to what leaders of youth should be. In the face of their own state championship run they took time out to reach out and support our girls. Our fans were four deep around the fence and were loud and proud to support our team. Past and current coaches of all levels have contacted me and some made the ride to support us. To say I’m touched is an understatement. Blessed, is more accurate.
Blessed to be from this small town with all these Giant people! I have been fearful to say the words World Series during this ride. No coach likes to look ahead, well, we’re here and I couldn’t be more proud of my my parents, our fans and of course my TEAM!!
WORLD SERIES!!”
The Saluda Angels join the Saluda High football team and girls basketball team in claiming state titles for the county.
Three Recent State Champions
In less than two years, Saluda County has claimed three state championships. The Saluda High football team won the 2A state title in 2019, and the girls basketball team won the 2A title this year. Those two champs were joined last week by the Saluda Angels 10u softball team. (Football photo by Trey Fingerlin)
WORLD SERIES BOUND
Saluda’s Minor League All-Star team won a play-in game Saturday to finish second in the state tournament and earned a trip to the World Series in Laurel, Miss. (Photo by Tiffany Rodgers Shaw)
July 15 Arrest Report
Three Arrested On
Separate Sex Crimes
Saluda County Sheriff’s Office Investigators have arrested two persons in unrelated cases for Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and the Attorney General’s Office has made another sexuual exploitation case.
John Van Wertz has been arrested and charged for three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the 2nd Degree and one count of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a minor in the 1st Degree. Arrest warrants state that over a course of four years, Wertz physically and sexually assaulted a minor victim.
Courvoisier S. Cullum has been arrested and charged for two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct with a Minor in the 2nd Degree. Arrest warrants state that Cullum drove to a residence in Saluda County and sexually assaulted two minor victims.
Sheriff Josh Price commented, “These cases are priority for us, we will do all we can to protect our children and to bring those to justice who would harm a child”. We ask that you pray for the victims in these cases.
The Attorney Generals Office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, along with assistance from the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, have arrested Jerry Wayne Townsend for criminal charges related to sexual exploitation of a minor.
After executing a search warrant at Townsends home in Saluda County, it was found that Townsend had been searching and downloading unlawful images and videos of children engaged in sexual activity. Investigators have charged Townsend with four separate counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the 3rd Degree.
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office will proactively work to seek out and arrest those who would prey on our young and innocent.
42nd Annual Truck
and Tractor Pull
The Saluda Young Farmers 42nd Annual Truck and Tractor Pull, “Hottest Pull in the South” will be held July 31st at the Young Farmer Stadium at the County Recreation Complex.
The Carolina Truck & Tractor Pullers / Southern Pullers Association professional pull will begin at 7pm. Ticket gates and pit will open at 5pm.
Ticket prices are as follows: Adults - $20, Children 6 to 12 - $10, 5 and under – Free, and cooler/bulk beverage - $5.00 (no glass containers). Cash, credit and debit card ticket purchases will be available at the gate. Concessions will also be available.
The 2021 Saluda Young Farmer Scholarship winners will be recognized as well. Proceeds from the pull go towards the scholarship program.
Bring a chair – stand seating is limited. There will be no charge for parking and no additional charges for entering the pit.
To purchase trackside parking, contact Scott Wertz at (803) 924-3124 after 5:00 PM. All trackside parking spots are $50.00 for the night.
Come and enjoy a weekend of high-powered action!
Check out www.SaludaYoungFarmer.org or syftp.us for the latest information. Like us on Facebook at “Saluda SC Tractor Pull.”
VACCINATIONS
Offered Saturday
Vaccinations will be offered to anyone 12 and older at the Saluda Park Sat., July 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free community Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen COVD-19 vacinnations will be offered.
The park is located at 416 S. Jefferson St., Saluda.