More Arrests

NICOLE KRYSTN CHEWNING

AMBER NICOLE TRENT

Granddaughters Now Charged

With Death Of Vulnerable Adult

  The granddaughters of a retired United Methodist minister have now been charged in connection with his death, after their father and stepmother were charged with the same offense in November 2017.
  Amber Nicole Trent, 26, was arrested Jan. 13, and her sister Nicole Krystn Chewning, 23, was arrested on Jan. 19. Both have been charted with abuse and neglect of an adult resulting in death.
  On Thurs., Nov. 2,  2017, 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 victim was battered, restrained to a bed using zip ties, and rags and duct tape were used to cover the victim’s mouth and eyes.
  Rev. Chewning retired from the active ministry in 2004. His last appointment was with the Emory -Nazareth Charge in Saluda County.

LIBRARY CHRISTMAS DONATION - This holiday season, Saluda County Library patrons could choose to donate cleaning supplies and personal care items to Christ Central Saluda, in lieu of paying their overdue library fines.  Pictured from left to right: Lisa Lyon, Library Director; Debbie Thomas, Christ Central Interim Director; Verda Potts, Library Trustee; and Casey Stoudemayer, Library Aide.

Tornado Sirens
To Be Tested

  Beginning on February 1st, 2018, Saluda County will be performing audible monthly testing on all county tornado sirens at 10:30 AM on the first Thursday of each month. 
  This automated test will be performed to ensure that all sirens are in working order in the event of a tornado event.  Saluda County has 9 tornado sirens located throughout the county that are utilized when the National Weather Service issues a tornado warning for an area within Saluda County.
   The Saluda County Emergency Management Division would like to remind all citizens that tornado sirens are outdoor warning devices utilized to warn individuals that are outdoors in the immediate vicinity of the siren.  These sirens are not designed to serve as primary warning devices.  All citizens are encouraged to utilize a NOAA weather radio as a primary means of notification of significant weather events.  There are also a number of services available for mobile devices that will alert the user when various weather conditions exist.
   For additional information regarding hazardous weather warning devices, please visit www.nws. noaa.gov/nwr/ or www.ready.gov/alerts .

Fireman of the Year

2017 Saluda County Firefighter of the Year

Chad Satcher was named the 2017 Saluda County Firefighter of the Year sponsored by Kelly White Agency – State Farm at the annual dinner hosted by the Saluda Fire Department on January 8, 2018. Chad has served the Circle Fire Department for 28 years. Since joining the department in 1989, he has completed over 1100 hours of training including earning his Interior Structural Firefighter Certification in 1993, Firefighter II in 1996 and Fire Officer I in 2003. He currently serves as a Captain and Training Officer for the Circle Fire Department. While serving in the capacity of Training Officer over the past 17 years, Chad has enjoyed passing along his knowledge and training to those in the Circle Fire Department and surrounding departments.
  He held the position of Saluda County Fire Board Secretary from 1997 – 2002 and again from November 2010 to June 2014. He also worked on the County Fire Prevention Committee in both 1996 and 1997. Multiple times throughout the years, he has attended the SC Firefighters Convention in Myrtle Beach and had the opportunity to go to the 2000 Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, Maryland. At these events, he participated in hands-on training and classes that were being offered. When needed, he has been able to provide mutual aid to the surrounding counties in times of need, such as the Cayce Recycle Center fire in 2012 and the Georgia-Pacific plywood plant fire in Prosperity 1992. On average, Chad volunteers approximately 150 hours of service each year to the Department, beyond making meetings and going to calls. This year he responded to two calls along with EMC involving Cardiac Arrest and both patients were resuscitated prior to being transported. Chad has a love for his community, whether it is those that live here year-round or are just passing through. His desire to serve this community as a Firefighter to the best of his ability is evident in his everyday life.
  Chad is pictured being presented the award by the Kelly White Agency – State Farm. Pictured from left to right are: Will Berry, John White, Chad Satcher, Kelly White, Mitzi Durst & Sherri Ward.
  Congratulations Chad and thanks to all volunteer firefighters for their time and service.

Saluda High School Improvement Council
named to state SC-SIC Honor Roll for 2018

  COLUMBIA – The School Improvement Councils (SICs) of 19 South Carolina public schools have been named to the SC School Improvement Council’s (SC-SIC) 2018 Honor Roll for their significant efforts to foster civic engagement in public education.
  Saluda High School SIC (Saluda County Schools) is among the 19.
  These Honor Roll SICs will continue in the running for SC-SIC’s annual Dick and Tunky Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence. Named for the former US Secretary of Education and South Carolina Governor and his late wife, the Riley Award was created in 2002 to recognize the vital contributions made by more than 1,200 local SICs and their nearly 14,000 SIC members across the state.
  The 18 other School Improvement Councils named to the SC-SIC Honor Roll for 2018 are (alphabetically):
  •Blythewood Middle School SIC (Richland School District 2)
  •Chapin Intermediate School SIC (School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties)
  •The Children’s School at Sylvia Circle SIC (Rock Hill Schools/York District 3)
  •Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School SIC (Greenville County Schools)
  •Hilton Head Island Middle School SIC (Beaufort County School District)
  •Hilton Head Island High School SIC (Beaufort County School District)
  •Horrell Hill Elementary School SIC (Richland School District 1)
  •Irmo Elementary School SIC (School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties)
  •Lugoff-Elgin Middle School SIC (Kershaw County School District)
  •Myrtle Beach K-5 Cluster SIC (Horry County Schools)
  •Nexton Elementary School SIC (Berkeley County School District)
  •Orchard Park Elementary School SIC (Fort Mills Schools/York District 4)
  •Savannah Grove Elementary School SIC (Florence School District 1)
  •Scranton Elementary School SIC (Florence County School District 3)
  •Spring Hill High School SIC (School District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties)
  •South Florence High School SIC (Florence School District 1)
  •Travelers Rest High School SIC (Greenville County Schools)
  •Walhalla High School SIC (School District of Oconee County)
   “These School Improvement Councils from across South Carolina have demonstrated their hard work and commitment to supporting the success of their schools and students in the last school year,” said SC-SIC Board of Trustees Chair Amelia McKie. “We congratulate them on their outstanding efforts as Honor Roll SICs, and we salute all of our SICs across the state for the lasting and positive impact they continue to make on behalf their school communities.”
  “The value of South Carolina’s School Improvement Councils cannot be emphasized enough,” said Tom F. Hudson, SC-SIC Executive Director. “When parents, community members, educators, and students come together to address school needs, establish goals, and undertake meaningful activities to meet them, everyone benefits. We are very proud of what this year’s Honor Roll SICs have accomplished for their schools.”
  Five finalists from this year’s list of Honor Roll SICs will be selected in February, with one to be announced as the winner of the annual Riley Award for SIC Excellence in April.
  SICs were established in state law over 40 years ago. Part of the Center for Educational Partnerships within the University of South Carolina College of Education, the SC School Improvement Council provides the member training, technical assistance, statutory accountability, and other operational resources necessary for the continued success of the community-based SICs in each of South Carolina’s K-12 public schools.
  More information on SC-SIC, the Riley Award for School Improvement Council Excellence, and award winners from previous years can be found online at http://sic.sc.gov

First 2018 Meeting

FIRST COUNCIL MEETING - Saluda County Council began the new year Monday, under the leadership of new chairman, Derrick Jones. Pictured, L to R, are Chairman Jones, and Council members Frank Daniels, D.J., Miller, Gwen Shealy and Jones Butler. (Standard-Sentinel photo)

County Council
Begins New Year

Saluda County Council began the new year Mon., Jan. 8, under the leadership of new chairman, Derrick Jones.
  Jones was elected Dec. 19 to fill the unexpired term of the late Chairman Don Hancock, who died Aug. 2.
  The meeting began with a 30-minute public hearing on two cellphone towers to be built by  Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless.
  Laura Goode explained the technical aspects of the two 199-ft., towers. One will be built at  1650 Duncan Road, and the other be constructed at 161 Corinth Road.
  Goode said other carriers could rent space on the towers, and said it was possible the county could place radio equipment on either or both of the towers.
  Saundra Ligon of the S.C. Human Affairs Commission urged Saluda County to form a Community Relations Council.
  She said the council would not be about race, but about quality of life.
  Ligon said the council should be made up of members from diverse backgrounds, and each County Council member could appoint two or three members each. The Human Affairs Commission will train the members.
  Council gave second reading to an ordinance delivering a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes for Project Catalina.
  Development Director Ed Parler said this will be another large solar farm, encompassing 293 acres, in the Ridge area of the county. It will be built at a cost of $115 million.
  Parler said Project Catalina will pay the county $150,000 per year. The county portion will be $69,000, with the local school district getting the remainder.
  By comparison, Parler said the landowners currently pay $1072 in property taxes, of which the county gets $490.
  “So, it’s easy to see the difference between $490 and $69,000,” Parler said.
  Council passed second reading unanimously.
  Approval of a request of proposal for development of a P-25 capable Public Safety Radio System was given.
  County Emergency Management Director Josh Morton said there were several areas of the county with poor radio reception, including Lake Murray, Ridge Spring, Ward and Mayson community. Because of this dangerous situation, he said a new system is needed.
  He recommended the county adopt the proposal submitted by Kinard Control Systems, Inc. of Newberry, with a first year cost of $580,000 and an annual maintenance of $105,000. Over 10 years total cost will be $1.6 million.
  Morton said grants will be sought to cover a large portion of the initial cost.
  Vice Chairman Gwen Shealy presided over the passage of two resolutions that will put Jones on the Tri-County Solid Waste Authority Board of Commissioners and Three Rivers Solid Waste Authority Board of Directors in place of Hancock.
   Council approved Recreation Director Paul Ergle’s request for a part-time employee during youth baseball season. The worker will assist Ergle with cutting the grass and chalking and painting the fields, and attend some of the games.
  The worker will make $10 an hour and work approximately 25 hours a week from March 1-June 8. If the county hosts an All-Star tournament, the work will be extended to June 30. Cost will be $3500 a year without an All-Star tournament and $4500 for years with a tournament.
  Also, approved was part-time position for the Voter Registration/Elections Office.
  Voter Registration and Elections  Board Chairman Jack Atkinson said the employee was needed to help with the 2018 General Election process.
  Atkinson said the state requires someone to be in the office at all times during an election year. Cost for this employee for 60 days at $11.50 per hour will be $6,681.71.
  This was approved.
  Public Buildings Supervisor Steve McAlister said a heating unit at the Detention Center broke down recently.
  The unit can be repaired by Edwards Heating and Cooling at a cost of $2995.00.
  A new unit can be purchased for $11,135.00. Since the unit is on the rooftop, Edwards does not have a crane to do the project, so Cullum Services submitted the bid.
  McAlister said the unit was 20-years old and was on it last legs. The issue, he said, was whether the county would build a new detention center in the near future.
  Council voted 4-1 to go with the repair.
  Councilman D.J. Miller said he does not often support a proposal that would cost more, but he said he thought buying the new unit would be the best idea.
  McAlister was asked if a new unit could be moved to a new building.
  He said it was possible, but few recommend putting units on a roof anymore, and he did not know if the unit would function on the ground.
  The following came out of Exexutive Session:
  Council granted a temporary access for ingress and egress on county property to Ridge Lumber, Inc. as presented to Council.