Identity Sought
Do You Know This Man?
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s help in identifying the man pictured above.
He is wanted in reference to a larceny of a 6x12 utility trailer that took place near the Traffic Circle. He was driving a dark in color Chevrolet S-10.
If you have any information, please contact the Saluda County Sheriff’s Office at 864-445-2112.
Saluda Native Retires From
Mount Pleasant Waterworks
CLAY DUFFIE
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina – General Manager Clay Duffie, a Saluda native, has announced his retirement from Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW) effective July 1, 2021.
He leaves a legacy focused on improving water quality, advancing environmental protection, and advocating the water industry profession in Mt. Pleasant and across South Carolina.
“Clay Duffie’s career with MPW will forever be associated with some of the most important milestones in the utility’s history,” said MPW Commission Chair, Rick Crosby. “From managing the utility through Hurricane Hugo in his first months on the job to securing the state’s first reverse osmosis water treatment facility, he confronted challenges decisively. His every action over the last 32 years embodied our commitment to providing high quality, reliable water services to our customers.”
Duffie, who joined MPW as general manager in 1989, credits a small town well driller and one of South Carolina’s first certified water operators for his career-long commitment to the water industry.
The first was his grandfather, Zeb Duffie, and the second his dad, H.Z.Duffie, Jr.
“There was never a question of what I would do when I grew up,” said Clay Duffie. “The spirit of service observed in my upbringing only grew stronger from the time I trained as a water operator, while receiving my civil engineering degree at Clemson, to the day I was selected to lead Mount Pleasant Waterworks.”
During Duffie’s time as general manager, MPW grew from a team of 48 employees serving a population of 30,000 to 140 serving over 90,000 residents. Under his leadership, the utility enjoyed many firsts – first in South Carolina to implement reverse osmosis technology into the water treatment process; first in the state to permit the use of aquifer storage and recovery wells; and most recent, first in the state to financially commit to water reuse by conducting a feasibility study and organizing a statewide utility leader working group.
Duffie will also be remembered for his support of people interested in pursuing a career in the water industry. Throughout college, he served as a voluntary instructor preparing students for the South Carolina water operating license exam. He also developed South Carolina’s first voluntary Operator Certification Program and established the South Carolina Water Associations’ Legacy of Learning Scholarship.
Finally, he advocated legislation establishing the South Carolina Groundwater Use and Reporting Act and was a contributing author of the first State Water Plan for South Carolina.
“I consider myself lucky to have been able to get up every day and go to a job that I loved,” shared Duffie. “I had the opportunity to lead, work alongside, and learn from an incredible group of men and women over the last 32 years. Without a doubt, I am leaving MPW, and this community, in capable hands”.
About Mount Pleasant Waterworks: Mount Pleasant Waterworks (MPW) is a public water and wastewater service utility located in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Established in 1935, MPW provides clean drinking water and provides wastewater services to a population of approximately 90,000 residents. To learn more about MPW, please visit www.mountpleasant waterworks.com
Teen Dies In Wreck
Saluda Teen Killed in
Motor Vehicle Collision
Early Saturday morning on Pencreek Road in Saluda County, Da’Trevous Jaquez Farrow (age 16) died in a one vehicle collision.
The 2006 Mercury Mariner, driven by Mr. Farrow went off the right side of the road, struck a ditch and overturned. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Farrow was not wearing a seatbelt, according to Master Trooper J.G. Miller of the S.C. Highway Patrol.
Two other occupants of the vehicle were transported by Saluda EMS to an area hospital, later to be released with minor injuries.
The victim was a student at Saluda High School.
The Coroner’s Office extends its heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mr. Farrow.
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office appreciates the response and assistance of Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Saluda Police Department and SC Hwy Patrol. The collision remains under investigation by the Coroner’s Office and SC Highway Patrol.
FIREMAN OF THE YEAR - Pictured from left to right: John White, Wesley Padgett(son), Maddie Padgett (daughter), Daphine Padgett (wife) and Kelly White.
Reggie Padgett Posthumously
Named Fireman Of The Year
State Farm-Kelly White Agency recently awarded the Saluda County Firefighter of the Year 2020 to the late Reggie Wesley Padgett.
Reggie had volunteered as a firefighter with Midlands Fire Department since 1995. He was the proud husband of Daphine Goodman Padgett and father to Wesley and Maddie Padgett. He was also loved by his parents, Michael “Red” and Kay Padgett of Batesburg.
In addition to over 25 years of service as a firefighter, Reggie was the owner/operator of Padgett Farms and employee of Hickory Hill Farms. He was a member of Richland Springs Baptist Church and was an active member of Saluda County Young Farmers Association.
State Farm-Kelly White Agency thanks all Saluda County firefighters and has proudly sponsored this annual award since 1998.
Sheriff’s Office Makes
Narcotics Arrest
The Saluda County Sheriff’s office made several narcotics arrests last week.
Jennifer Nicole Brewster has been arrested and charged with two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
While patrolling on Newberry Highway, a deputy conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle. The deputy observed a clear plastic bag being thrown from the passenger window after the blue lights were activated. The deputy approached the vehicle and collected the bag which contained a quantity of methamphetamine. The passenger, Jesus Elizondo, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine and Littering. The driver of the vehicle was additionally arrested for Driving Under Suspension.
Sheriff Price would like to let the citizens of Saluda County know that the Sheriff’s Office is working diligently to combat the sale and use of dangerous drugs in Saluda County. Drugs destroy lives but it also drives crime. The Sheriff’s office is working to make a safer Saluda County and arrests such as this are the steps needed to make that happen.
April 15 Arrest Report
Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrests
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office several arrests last week on charges ranging from arson to drug trafficking.
Trenton Franks of Jackson, NC, has been arrested and charged with setting fire to a home in Saluda County in December of last year. Mr. Franks is additionally charged with Burglary in the first Degree and Petit Larceny.
A Newberry County man is behind bars at the Saluda County Detention Center after a narcotics arrest that stemmed from a traffic stop. Rio Caldwell has been charged with Trafficking Crack Cocaine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana.
The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office has made two narcotic arrests recently. Kole Johnson was arrested this week for Possession of Methamphetamine. Additionally in a separate incident, Alicia Rorke was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine. Both arrests stimmed from lawful traffic stops.
On April 7th, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Daisy Lane in reference to an assault. Upon the arrival of deputies, a male subject fled from the residence into the woods on foot. A security perimeter was set up and the bloodhound tracking team responded to the scene. At this time, the subject, identified as Franklin Mills, surrendered to deputies. He was taken into custody and charged with Domestic Violence.
PROCLAMATION - Pictured, L to R, Mayor Herlong, Diavion Phillips (Volunteer with Victims services at the Saluda Police Department), Nicole Maffett, Victim Advocate Saluda Police Department.
Denim Day Proclamation in Honor
of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Saluda Mayor Amelia Herlong has signed a proclamation for National Denim Day, which is to be held on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
National Denim Day is a campaign in which people are encouraged to wear denim to raise awareness of sexual assault and support victims and survivors.
The Denim Day Campaign was created in response to a case in which a young girl was assaulted simply because she was wearing tight jeans. Her attacker was set free with no charges. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence, has grown into a national movement.
As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing denim jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
Show your support and wear denim on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. Take a picture of yourself or you and your co-workers wearing denim. Post on Facebook tagging the Town of Saluda using the #Denimday2021 to enter a chance to win a gift basket.
April 8 Arrest Report
Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrests
Among the arrests made last week by the Saluda County Sheriff’s office, were burglary and narcotics charges.
On the night of March 29, 2021, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Johnston Highway in reference to a burglary in progress. Upon the arrival of deputies, the subject fled into the woods. The bloodhound tracking team responded and tracked the subject for several miles through the woods. The subject was identified as Andrew Edward Scherff.
On March 30, Mr. Scherff was taken into custody and charged with Burglary in the first Degree, Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, and Possession of Methamphetamines. At this time, bond has not been set.
Sheriff Price wants the citizens to know that the Sheriff’s Office is working proactively to keep Saluda County safe and says this investigation is a perfect example of the dedication the office has to bringing criminals to justice .
Christopher Meetze was arrested on March 31, 2021 for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving Under Suspension. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop in Saluda County.
The Sheriff’s Office will continue a proactive approach to combat dangerous drugs in Saluda County.
Declaration of April 2021 as
the Month of the Young Child
There is so much that children learn as they read and sing together, cook together, build together, create art, and celebrate with their families. In recognition of the importance of supporting our youngest children to succeed in school, the Town of Saluda, SC, along with Saluda County First Steps is proclaiming April 2021 as the Month of the Young Child. Saluda First Steps will be promoting the Month of the Young Child at the Spring Fest event sponsored by the Town of Saluda on Saturday, April 3rd, 2021. Also, during the week of April 12th-16th, 2021, Saluda First Steps will be sponsoring the Week of the Young Child with activities are follows: Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday. Please come by our table to learn about the free programs offered by Saluda First Steps to support young children and their families in Saluda County. Our children are our greatest asset, and we have a responsibility to support them as they learn and grow to become Saluda County’s leaders of tomorrow.
Saluda’s Spring Fest At The Park
The Town of Saluda’s Spring Fest was held Sat., April 3 at the town park. The well attended event included inflatibles, an egg hunt, food and craft booths, and the dunking booth, pictured above. (Standard-Sentinel photo)