Vet Fulfills Goal
IN REMBRANCE - Paul Moody placed a flag at the grave of William Golston at Wateree Cemetery on Mon,June 28. Moody credit Golston with saving his life, when both were soldiers at Ft. Benning, GA. (photos by Phillip Brooks)
Veteran Finds Grave Of
Soldier Who Saved His Life
A Vietnam-era veteran last week fulfilled a 57-year goal of visiting the grave of a Saluda County soldier he credits with saving his life.
Paul Moody of Tennessee had visited Saluda County before attempting to find the grave of William R. Golston, Jr., but was unsuccessful.
On June 19, 1964, Moody was the front seat passenger in a 2½-ton Army van driven by Golston. Both soldiers were stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga.
The van was part of a convoy of four vehicles, and came upon a house being moved on a flatbed trailer. Apparently, the brakes on the van failed, and it plowed into the back of the trailer.
Golston was killed instantly, while Moody sustained only minor injuries.
Moody said his life was saved because Golston purposely steered the van so that he would take the brunt of the force.
Moody had told his story to many friends throughout the years and one of them contacted him recently with some exciting information. He had found Golston’s gravesite on the ”Find a Grave” website.
Golston was buried at the Wateree Cemetery in Saluda County, South Carolina.
Well, Moody knew Golston was buried in Saluda County, but where was Wateree Cemetery?
His next step was to call the Saluda County Historical Society, and this is where, perhaps, Divine Providence came into play.
Phillip Brooks was volunteering at the Saluda County Museum, and took Moody’s call. Brooks knew exactly where the cemetery was located.
Brooks, who grew up in the Hollywood Community, had visited the cemetery before.
“I may be the only member of the Historical Society who knows where the cemetery is located, and I was the one to take the call.” Brooks said.
The reason the cemetery was hard to find is church it was associated with has been moved, and the only means to get to the graveyard is on an ATV.
Mon., June 28, Brooks met Moody and took him to the cemetery on the four-wheeler.
Moody remembered his fallen comrade, who gave him an extra 57-years of life, by placing an American flag at his tombstone.
Thanks to his friend and Phillip Brooks, his longtime quest was accomplished.
Community Meeting Held
On Curbing Violence
Story and photos by Dibbie Shealy
Saluda Town Councilman Miliken Matthews sponsored a meeting June 24 at Progressive Church to discuss recent violence and how to prevent future incidents.
The attendees gave ideas and wrote suggestions about what can be done to curb the violence and educate young people about making poor choices. The group will be forming committees to address some of the issues.
Councilman Matthews challenged each of us to “help one person this week.”
James Holloway added, “If you don’t think one thing can make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”
New Head State Program
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates the
Beginning of East Coast Migrant Head Start
Project’s Head Start Services in Saluda
Raleigh, North Carolina, June 21, 2021 – East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (ECMHSP) is ready to bring its successful proven model of Head Start services to the hard-working farmworker families of Saluda, South Carolina.
During the week of June 21, the children of agricultural workers living in the surrounding areas of Saluda will begin to receive high-quality early childhood education services.
These services will be at no cost for families working with peaches, broccoli, peppers, and other crops. In addition, families can qualify if they do dairy work, poultry industry jobs, and plant nursery work.
“Based on our community assessments, we know families in Saluda have limited access to child care and are not being served by the local Head Start agency since services are not designed for this working population. ECMHSP will continue to collaborate with community partners to enroll as many children as possible,” said Maria C. Garza, ECMHSP Chief Executive Officer.
Bruce Wright, Bilingual Community Health Worker with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, will be present during our ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 22. Wright has been an ally for the South Carolina farm-worker community for more than 20 years. Other valuable community partners will also come together to witness this memorable day for ECMHSP. The town of Saluda has much to celebrate. Our Migrant and Seasonal Head Start location will help secure our nation’s food supply.
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project was established in 1974 through a grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Under the leadership of Sister Geraldine O’Brien, Head Start centers were opened along the east coast of the United States to ensure continuity of services, as families migrated to work in agriculture. Currently, ECMHSP operates 49 Head Start Centers in 10 states.
Additional information about ECMHSP can be found by visiting www.ecmhsp.org.
WINNING CHEFS - Seven chefs from Capital City/Lake Murray Country, including Brian Velie of Ridge Spriong’s Juniper, have won the “Golden Ticket” to the World Food Championships’ “Ultimate Food Fight” in Dallas, Texas, this November. Credit: Capital City Lake Murray Tourism Board
Capital City/Lake Murray Country Chefs
to Represent SC in High-Stakes Culinary
CAPITAL CITY/LAKE MURRAY COUNTRY, JUNE 2021—The World Food Championships (WFC) just completed the South Carolina Super Regional Qualifier and selected seven area chefs to make up the first-ever “Team Lake Murray Country,” a competitive culinary team that will represent the Palmetto State at the 9th Annual Ultimate Food Fight, scheduled for November 5-9, 2021, in Dallas, Texas. This is the first time a team from Lake Murray Country has ever been selected.
The qualifier was integrated into the Taste of Lake Murray, a food event that benefits the Lake Murray July 4th Fireworks Show. In addition to impressing WFC representatives, 15 chefs from the region were tasked with producing their best samples for almost 600 guests, all of whom got to vote on their favorite dishes of the night to create Team Lake Murray Country through a “people’s choice” process.
The seven chefs to receive the most votes earned a place on Team Lake Murray Country, where they’ll now go head-to-head against the world’s best for a chance at WFC’s $350,000 prize purse in November. Team Lake Murray Country now includes the following:
•Kevin Schwab of Bistro on the Boulevard, New American cuisine by way of Texas and the Southeast in a relaxed, casual ambiance with fine-dining service and quality ingredients, nightly specials and an award-winning wine list. (1085 D Lake Murray Boulevard, Irmo, South Carolina 29063; 803-369-1332)
•Henry Griffin of Griffin Chophouse, a classic steak-house, burger and barbecue joint with a butcher shop, The Royal Butcher, next door. (924 East Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; 803-957-0863)
•Arif Rizvi of RF’s Corner Grill, a “modern classic” with touches of Eastern influence and favorites like Duck Fat Fries, tacos and more. (712 West Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; 803-490-7800)
•Brandon Velie of Juniper, locally sourced, in-season Southern ingredients, national reviews in a hidden-gem location. (640 East Main Street, Ridge Spring, South Carolina 29129; 803-685-7547)
•John Worthington of Figaro the Dining Room, fine dining with an eclectic Southern twist in a historic bank building; the vault is the wine cellar. (1117 Boyce Street, Newberry, South Carolina 29108; 803-276-0101)
•Jon Cooper of Alodia’s Cucina Italiana, authentic home-style Italian restaurant using generations-old family recipes. (101 West Main Street, Lexington, South Carolina 29072; 803-781-9814)
•Eric Crissey of Columbo’s Restaurant, at the Double-tree by Hilton, American contemporary and fusion cuisine that belies its chain-hotel location. (2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29210; 803-744-2200)
“We’re excited to send our seven talented chefs to the World Food Championship,” said Miriam Atria, Capital City/Lake Murray Country President/CEO. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the regional bounty and notable dining of the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region and represent the state. We are thrilled to bring South Carolina’s cuisine for the world to savor.”
Next, Team Lake Murray Country will be assigned to their categories and learn about WFC’s E.A.T. Methodology, which is how more than 8,000 dishes are judged and scored at the main event in Dallas. More than 450 teams from 40 states and 10 countries are expected to participate in this year’s tournament, which will feature 10 categories of food and be filmed for a special TV show.
To stay up-to-date on all things Food Sport, follow the World Food Championships on Twitter (@WorldFoodChamp), Facebook and Instagram (@World
Food Championships).
Miss S.C. Contestant
SAMANTHA NICHOLS
County Native
Vying For Miss S.C.
Saluda County native Samantha Nichols, the reigning Miss Upstate, left for Columbia, SC on June 20th to compete for the title of Miss South Carolina.
Over the past year and a half, Samantha has been acting as an advocate for the agriculture industry, with her social impact initiative, #BragOnAg.
Samatha is a gaduate of Saluda High School and Clemson University. She is the daughter of Christy Corley Nichols and James Nichols.
The current Miss South Carolina, Morgan Nichols, is Samantha’s cousin.
Morgan’s grandfather, Roy Nichols, was among 15 siblings who grew up in the Hollywood section of Saluda County. His wife, the former Ruth Boozer, also was a Saluda County native.
Miss South Carolina Finals will be televised on WACH 57 on Saturday, June 26 at 8 p.m.
Three Arrested On Heroin Charges
Three subjects have been arrested for trafficking a large amount of Heroin through Saluda County.
Seth Allen Johnston, Shay Lynn Capers, and Rebecca Reposa Kelly have been arrested after deputies conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle they were traveling in on Greenwood Highway.
Deputies located and seized over 367 Grams of Heroin from the vehicle.
Sheriff Josh Price stated, “The Saluda County Sheriff’s Office is working 24-7 to proactively patrol and enforce the laws of our state to keep the citizens of Saluda County safe. I’m proud of the job the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office are doing.”
School Budget Passes
Saluda County Council gave final reading to the 2021-22 Saluda County Schools budget at the Mon., June 14, meeting.
The local support portion of the school district’s $20,769,529 budget is $7,822,758, minus revenues and credits reflected on tax receipts from Property Tax Relief, Homestead Exemption, Tier 3 Property Tax Relief, and Motor Carrier for a net amount of $5,138,095 from ad valorem taxes.
The county’s budget stood at $13,885,447 after the second reading. Council held a budget workshop prior to the regular Monday meeting, and will give final reading to the county budget at a called meeting on June 21.
Public hearing were held for both the school and county budgets at the beginning of the meeting. No member of the public signed up to speak.
Council gave second reading to two ordinances. One involves a joint industrial park agreement with Aiken County, and the other involves a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes for “Project Light.”
Replacement of three HVAC units was approved. The cost of the projects will be $21,850, which will be taken from the Public Building Repair Reserve Fund. Units will be replaced at DSS, the Detention Center and the Library.
Chairman Jerry Strawbridge’s nomination of George Robert Long to the Tax Appeals Board was approved.
Chad Satcher of the Circle Fire Department was appointed to the Fire Board.
Strawbridge, at the beginning of the meeting, said Council will be sharing some “good information” to the citizens in the Standard-Sentinel in a few weeks. He said the county’s financial situation is “looking positive.”
Hit and Run Death
AMANDA SANDIN
Driver Charged In Hit-and-Run Death
A Leesville woman has been arrested and charged with leaving the secne of a vehicle accident that resulted in death.
According to Master Tropper Brandon Bolt, the crash occurred at about 10:25 p.m., June 6, on U.S. 1 near Topaz Road, two miles west of Batesburg-Leesville.
A 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan struck a moped from behind while both were northbound on U.S. 1.
The moped went off the right side of the roadway and the rider was thrown.
The Saluda County Coroner’s office identified the victims as Timothy Sean Cyrus, age 43, of Ridge Spring,
Cyrus, who was not wearing a helmet but was wearing a reflective vest, died at the scene.
The Caravan left the scene, according to the patrol.
However, the driver, identified as Amanda Sandin, 27, turned herself in at 1:45 a.m. Monday, according to the pa trol.
She was arrested and held in Saluda County on a charge of leaving the scene of a collision involving death, the patrol reported.
An autopsy of Cyrus was scheduled for Tuesday.
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patro, including the MAIT team continue to investigate the incident.
A special thanks to responders for their assistance that evening. The responders include: Saluda County EMS, Batesburg Fire Department, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Batesburg Police Department and the SC Highway Patrol.
The coroner’s office extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Mr. Cyrus.
Man Killed In Shooting
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a death involving a shooting near 306 North Bouknight Ferry Road in the town limits of Saluda.
The incident took place between 3:30 and 4:00 on the morning of Sunday, June 13, 2021. The victim of the shooting has been identified as Deontrez Rashad Mealing, age 23, of Edgefield.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday of this week.
The incident remains under investigation by the Coroner’s Office, SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Saluda Police Department and the Saluda County Sherriff’s Office is also assisting.
Coroner Keith Turner and his staff send their heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mr. Mealing.
County Suffers Second
Highway Fatality
Saluda County suffered its second highway fatality in as many days, when a Ridge Spring women died in a single vehicle collision
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office reported the motor vehicle collision occurred on June 7, 2021 in the late evening on Goff Road, Batesburg (Saluda County) near West Creek Baptist Church. The one vehicle collision involved an SUV vs tree.
According to Master Trooper Gary Miller, the driver of 2004 Nissan X-terra went off the left side of the road, over compensated, then went of the right side of the road and hit a tree.
The driver of the SUV died at the scene and was later identified as Ms. Heidy Cruz-Cadena, age 20, of Ridge Spring, SC. The collision is being investigated by the SC Highway Patrol and Saluda County Coroner’s Office.
The coroner’s office would like to thank the responders of the Saluda County EMS, Saluda County Sheriff’s Office, Ridge Spring Fire Department, Batesburg Fire Department and SC Hwy Patrol for their assistance at the scene.
The coroner’s office also extends its heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Ms. Cruz-Cadena.
Vaccinations Offered Saturday
Free COVID-19 vaccinations will be given Sat., June 19, at Saluda High School from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for anyone 12 and older. Free food will be offered while supplies last, and a drawing will be held for a free TV.