Couple charged
Saluda Couple Charged In
Death Of Vulnerable Adult
A Saluda couple has been charged in the death of a retired United Methodist minister.
On Thurs., Nov. 2, the Saluda County Coroner’s Office responded to a call on 320 S. Calhoun Street in Saluda. Upon arrival, they found 79-year-old James Boyd Chewning dead in a hospital bed where he had been tie wrapped to the bed and obviously neglected and abused.
After conferring with the Saluda Police Department, a joint decision was made to call to the specialized Vulnerable Adult Team and the Crime Scene Investigation Unit from SLED to the scene. After many hours of investigation and interrogation by SLED, the Coroner’s office and Saluda Police agreed to turn the prosecution of this case over to SLED.
Donald Chewning, 51, (the victim’s adopted son) and Kathy Chewning, 48, (Donald Chewning’s wife) were arrested on charges of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death.
According to the arrest report, the victimwas battered, restrained to a bed using zip ties, and rags and duct taope were used to cover the victim’s mouth and eyes.
Coroner Keith Turner scheduled an autopsy for Friday morning in Newberry. The exact cause of death will be released at a later time.
The Saluda County Coroner’s Office and Saluda Police Department along with SLED are continuing the investigation.
If convicted, the couple could serve up to 30 years. Coroner Keith Turner would like to express his thanks to his team, the Saluda Police Department, Saluda County EMS, Saluda Sheriff’s Office and SLED for a job well done.
Rev. Chewning retired from the active ministry in 2004. His last appiontment was with the Emory -Nazareth Charge in Saluda County.
DARQUARIOUS FULLER
Man sentenced to 23 years for
Armed Robbery in Saluda County
Darquarious Tremaine Fuller, a 23 year old man from Greenwood, pled guilty this week to Armed Robbery and Attempted Murder taking responsibility for his role in robbing the Ridge Spring Convenience Store in Saluda County and shooting the owner of the store.
Fuller was sentenced to 23 years by Judge William P. Keesley. Both charges are violent and are considered “no parole” offenses.
Eleventh Circuit Solicitor Rick Hubbard stated, “This case is a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong when a gun is involved.”
On April 11, 2016, Fuller along with three co-defendants arrived at the Ridge Spring Convenience store and parked in the back. One of the individuals exited the vehicle and went inside of the store first. He walked around the store and his role was to let the others know how many people were inside. As that individual was exiting the store, Fuller and the other two entered wearing hoodies and face masks.
Fuller walked in pointing the gun at a female store clerk while one of the co-defendants snatched her cell phone from her hands and threw it on the floor. The store clerk was pregnant at the time of the robbery and described pleading with the gunman not to hurt her baby. They ordered the clerk to open the register and one of co-defendants began grabbing the money. The store owner came out and began to comply when Fuller shot him in the thigh. Fortunately, the store owner has recovered from any serious injury. After the owner was shot by Fuller, the three men ran out of the store.
Former Ridge Spring Police Department Chief Michael Raffield arrived quickly to the scene and assessed what was going on. After determining that the individuals left on foot, he traveled towards the rail road tracks and saw an individual running who then threw an item down. That item was a gray hoodie. The individual was detained and several hundred dollars were recovered from his pocket.
The incident was captured on surveillance cameras. The individual and the gray hoodie matched the description of the co-defendant who was seen taking money from the register. He admitted his involvement and later identified all of the individuals involved in the armed robbery. All three co-defendants identified Fuller as the shooter.
“Quick action from law enforcement resulted in this crime being solved and apprehending those involved,” commented Solicitor Hubbard.
Assistant Solicitor Sutania Radlein and Senior Assistant Solicitor Al Eargle prosecuted the case for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Run-off Results
SALUDA COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
PRIMARY RESULTS
Derrick Jones - 618
Gwen Shealy - 423
Jones will meet Frank Daniel in the Special Election
on Tuesday, December 19
New Hall of Fame Class Inducted
The 2017 Hall of Fame class for Saluda County Schools was inducted Fri., Oct. 27, during halftime of the Saluda-Fox Creek. Inductees Dora Helen Shealy Connelly, Marion Frye, Ray Hesse, Titania Watson and the families of the late Johnny Springs and Boyce Todd accepted Hall of Fame plaques. Duplicate plaques will be hung at Saluda High School. (SHS photos by Dean Roesner)
Richland Creek Antique Fall
Festival November 3, 4, 5
The 22nd Annual Fall Festival/Tractor/Engine show and pull will be held at Richland Creek Farms, 542 Richland Creek Road, Ward, Nov. 3-5
The festival site is located between Batesburg-Leesville, Ridge Spring and Saluda. From Batesburg-Leesville take Hwy. 178 north toward Saluda or from Ridge Spring take Hwy. 39 north toward Saluda from Saluda take Hwy. 39 south toward Ridge Spring follow the signs and exit onto Duncan Road which leads to Richland Creek Road.
This family event has activities planned for everyone with demonstrations of old farm machinery, steam engine, saw mill, hit miss engines, syrup cooking, shingle making, thrashing of grain, blacksmith shop, a barnyard exhibit, pedal tractor race/pull and a antique tractor pull for tractors through 1960 also vendors and exhibitors plus great food vendors.
The gates open each day at 9:00 A. M. and the tractor pull begins with a demonstration pull at 7:00 P.M. on Friday and the Saturday competition pull beginning at 1:00 P. M.
The highlight for the weekend is a visit to Richland Springs Baptist Church for Old Fashion Day on Sunday beginning at 10:00 A. M. The church is located at 1895 Duncan Road.
Admission is $5.00 a day for Friday and Sunday and $10.00 a day on Saturday for adults; children under 12 years old are admitted free. RV hookups are available by reservations at $45.00 for the weekend for water/electric only. This is an educational/family event and NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE WILL BE PERMITTED!!!
For additional information see our web site at: www.richlandcreek antiques.com, or call 864 445 2781/e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Saluda County Farm to Table and Honey Tasting
The Saluda County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with The Town of Ward, The Town of Ridge Spring, Gables Inn and Gardens, and Clemson Extension to bring you the first annual Saluda County Farm to Table and Honey Tasting Celebration, November 4th, 2017 from 6pm-9pm, at The Gables Inn and Garden, in Ward.
This exciting event will benefit aspiring young farmers from The Ridge area.
Come celebrate the bounty of The Ridge Region through local fresh foods, drinks from local breweries, wineries, artisanal wares, and musical entertainment.
Honey and other products from local apiaries will be available for tasting and for purchase.
Come experience The Ridge’s Finest Cuisine and help provide financial support for future agriculture students from the Ridge Community.
Tickets: $75.00, can be pur-chased by calling the Saluda County Chamber at 864-445-4100 or visiting Saluda FTT on Facebook!
Run-off Oct. 31
Daniel Wins Democrat,
Jones, Shealy in Run-off
Frank Daniel won the Democrat nomination for County Council Chairman, and Derrick Jones and Gwen Shealy will meet in a run-off on Oct. 31 for the Republican nod.
Less than 15 percent of Saluda County’s eligible voters cast ballots in the Tues., Oct. 17, primaries.
Democrat Daniel, a 12-year member of County Council, got 370 votes to political newcomer Darren Horne’s 216.
Jones, the pastor of Saluda Church of God, led the Republican ticket with 376 votes. Council Vice-Chairman Gwen Shealy got 341 votes, and former Councilman Jacob Schumpert tallied 214.
The avoid a run-off a candidate had to get 50 percent of the vote, plus one. In leading the ticket Jones got 40.39 percent.
If you voted in the Democratic Primary, you can not vote in the Republican run-off.
All others voters, including the nearly 10,000 who did cast ballots on Oct. 17, are eligible to vote in the run-off on Halloween Day. Polls open at 7 a.m.
New Hall of Fame Class Named
A longtime teacher-administrator and five athletes make up this year’s Saluda County Schools Hall of Fame class.
They will be inducted at halftime of the Saluda-Fox Creek game Fri., Oct. 27.
This year’s inductees include Dora Ellen Shealy Connelly, Marion Frye, Raymond Hesse, Johnny Springs, Boyce Todd and Titania Watson.
Mrs. Connelly graduated from Hollywood High School in 1947, and played basketball for four years under legendary Coach Mac Quattlebaum, averaging 20 points a game. She led the Lady Hornets to the 1947 State Championship. She was offered a basketball scholarship to Newberry College. She said she played the best game of her life after spending the afternoon stacking green lumber!
Marion Frye had an unusual athletic career, as he lettered in four different sports at two different schools during the same year. A 1963 graduate of Hollywood High, he played basketball and baseball for the Hornets, and since Hollywood didn’t have football and track teams, he played those sports for Saluda High. He scored four touchdowns for the Tigers in their 53-27 win Woodruff in the 1962 Class A State Championship game. He played football for one season at Newberry College.before an injury ended his career. Frye served for 14-years in the S.C. House of Representative from District 39, which included all of Saluda County at that time.
Dr. Raymond Hesse was Frye’s teammate on the 1962 State Championship team as a junior quarterback, and came back in 1963 to lead the Tigers to their second straight title. He was named Class A All-State quarterback in 1963, and was the Most Valuable Player in the 1964 North-South All-Star game. He lettered in five sports at SHS, football, basketball, baseball, track and golf. He graduated from MUSC in 1972 and has been practicing medicine for 45 years.
The late Johnny Springs was an integral member of Saluda High Schools 1977 and 1978 state championship boys basketball teams, averaging over 20 points a game. His senior year he was second in the upper state in scoring and third in rebounding. Springs went on to play for Anderson College and Newberry College.
The late Boyce Todd came to Saluda High School in 1948 as the agriculture teacher and served the district until his retirement in 1983. He was a teacher from 1948-1965, principal of Saluda High from 1965-1976, and served as District One Superintendent from 1976-83. The vocational wing that was added at the old Saluda High School was named the Boyce Todd Vocational Building.
Titania Watson was a three-sport star at Saluda High, making all-region in two of them.. Her greatest accomplishments were in track and field. In 1995 she was named the AA Track and Field Player of the Year. In 1995 she was state champion in shot put, and 400 meter. In 1996 she was state champion in the shot put, and 100 meter. She broke school records in the shot put, 400 meter and 4x400 meter relay.
Johnston Man Dies In Accident
A Johnston man died Sunday night of injuries received in a one-car accident off of the Ridge Spring Hwy.
According to Saluda County Coroner Keith Turner, Shaquille Rashawn Rolland, 23, of 350 Long Cane Road, Johnston, died on the scene from multiple trauma injuries.
The accident occurred at 11:10 p.m. at the intersection of Spann Rd., and Richland Creek Rd.
S.C. Highway Patrol spokesman Joe Hovis said the 1999 Honda Rolland was driving went off the left side of the road, hit a ditch, overturned, then hit a tree. The victim was not wearing a seatbelt.
Chairman Results
SALUDA COUNTY COUNCIL CHAIRMAN PRIMARY RESULTS:
DEMOCRAT
Frank Daniel - 370; Darren Horne - 216
Daniel wins nomination
REPUBLICAN
Derrick Jones - 376; Gwen Shealy - 341; Jacob Schumpert - 214
Jones and Shealy will meet in a run-off on Tues., Oct. 31.
Spearman to to Honored
By Girl Scouts
Columbia, SC – Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands will honor four Midlands-area women at its Annual Women of Distinction Awards Dinner on March 1, 2018 at the Columba Metropolitan Convention Center. The Women of Distinction Award recognizes local women of courage, confidence, and character, who exhibit exceptional professional and personal success, and have made a lasting impact in the community. The evening pays tribute to the honorees with a night of success stories, inspiration, and call to action.
This year’s honorees are: Kathleen Lawson Gibson, Director of Clarendon One Community Resource Center; Melanie Huggins, Executive Director of Richland Library; Erin McCaskill, Vice President and private banker for First Citizens Wealth Management; Molly Spearman, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education.
Molly Mitchell Spearman was elected as the 18th South Carolina State Superintendent of Education on November 4, 2014. Native to Saluda County, Mrs. Spearman’s childhood laid the foundations of family, faith, and hard work that transcended into her professional career as an educator and civil servant. Superintendent Spearman’s career has spanned 18 years as a public school music teacher and an assistant principal. In addition to teaching and administration, she has served four terms as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, six years as Deputy Superintendent of the South Carolina Department of Education, and ten years as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. She holds a B.A. Degree in music education from Lander University, a Master’s Degree in education supervision from George Washington University, and an Education Specialist degree from the University of South Carolina. As the South Carolina Superintendent of Education, Mrs. Spearman has the experience and relationships needed to move South Carolina’s education system forward. Superintendent Spearman strongly believes the foundation for student success lies in effective classroom teachers and principals who facilitate personalized learning for every student, every day. Her vision is for every South Carolina graduate to be prepared for the next step after graduation. Superintendent Spearman is excited to keep a positive and forward thinking approach to South Carolina education to promote better schools and brighter futures.
This is the 25th year that Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands will honor women in the midlands who make impactful community contributions. For ticket and/or sponsorship information to this annual fundraising event, please contact LaTanza Duncan, Chief Advancement Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 803-461-3731or visit www.GSSC-MM.org.
For more than 100 years, Girl Scouting has helped girls develop positive values and become active, responsible leaders in their communities. With emphasis on personal growth and leadership development through service to others, Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands serves 11,500 girls, grades K5-12, and 4,700 adults in 22 counties of central and western South Carolina, including Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Sumter, and Union.
Patsy E. Rhodes and Leah O’Brien Amico
Celebrating Women in Sport Recognizes Rhodes
Eighteen women from South Carolina that have been inducted into various South Carolina Hall of Fames were recognized and honored October 13th by the Spartanburg FCA Women’s Ministry for their contributions to women in sport. Leah O’Brien Amico three time Softball Olympic Champion was the featured speaker and was inducted into the FCA Hall of Champions.